Laser-Engineered Graphene on Wood Enables Efficient Antibacterial, Anti-Salt-Fouling, and Lipophilic-Matter-Rejection Solar Evaporation

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62)21_Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

41 Scopus Citations
View graph of relations

Author(s)

  • Li Ling
  • Zhaoyu Wang
  • Ben Zhong Tang
  • Paul Westerhoff

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)51864–51872
Journal / PublicationACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume12
Issue number46
Online published9 Nov 2020
Publication statusPublished - 18 Nov 2020

Abstract

Advances in solar steam generation have made a promise in mitigating the water scarcity problem. However, their practical use could be curtailed by the vaporized pollutants and the longevity limited by biofouling and salt-fouling that are often overlooked. Here, a flake of wood is reported to be engineered into a miniaturized solar water treatment device by a laser engraving process and demonstrates advantages over common solar systems. The device is structured to mimic the centralized water treatment plants, which contains a superhydrophilic graphene bottom layer for lipophilic organic matter rejection and antifouling, an intrinsic wood microchannels layer for water transport and thermal management, and a hydrophobic graphene top layer for solar-driven desalination while inhibiting salt deposition. The pore size of wood differentiates the water flux and hence the evaporation performance, and the balsa wood with a larger pore size possesses a higher evaporation rate of 1.6 ± 0.02 kg m-2 h-1 compared with pine wood. The hierarchical design achieves a solar energy conversion efficiency of 110% and a lipophilic organic matter removal efficiency of >90% and significantly improves longevity even at high salinity. This work illuminates a sustainable and cost-effective pathway for water treatment and shows potential for wastewater reuse.

Research Area(s)

  • antibacterial, antifouling, hierarchical wood, laser-induced graphene, solar water treatment

Citation Format(s)

Laser-Engineered Graphene on Wood Enables Efficient Antibacterial, Anti-Salt-Fouling, and Lipophilic-Matter-Rejection Solar Evaporation. / Huang, Libei; Ling, Li; Su, Jianjun et al.

In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 12, No. 46, 18.11.2020, p. 51864–51872.

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62)21_Publication in refereed journalpeer-review