Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• This review systematically summarizes solar evaporator design and optimization using renewable lignocellulosic biomass. • Unique structural merits and fabrication methods for photothermal layer and hydrophilic substrate are thoroughly discussed. • Multifunctional integrated applications beyond desalination are highlighted. • Current challenges and future development opportunities for scalable biomass-based evaporators are outlined.
Abstract
The increasing scarcity of freshwater resources has driven the rapid emergence of solar-driven interfacial evaporators (SDIEs) as a sustainable approach to harvest fresh water by utilizing solar energy. Lignocellulosic biomass, featuring natural abundance, excellent renewability, unique natural structures, and superior biodegradability compared to the synthetic polymers, is highly attractive for constructing solar steam generators. This review aims to offer an innovative and in-depth insight into designing and optimizing high-performance integrated solar interfacial evaporators derived from renewable lignocellulosic biomass. First, the structural characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass are briefly introduced, serving as photothermal layer or supporting substrates in SDIEs. Secondly, the fabrication methods and processing technologies of lignocellulosic biomass-based evaporators are summarized from the perspective of photothermal layer and supporting substrates. Next, the most recent advances of regulation and optimization strategies are proposed to improve evaporation efficiency. Subsequently, this review summarizes the diverse functionalities of SDIEs, including desalination, power generation, wastewater treatment and antimicrobial, atmospheric water harvesting, and photocatalytic hydrogen production. Finally, the challenges in this field and outlook on the future development are discussed, which are anticipated to provide new opportunities for the advancement of lignocellulosic biomass-based SDIEs.
1. Introduction
The increasing scarcity of freshwater resources has driven the rapid emergence of solar-driven interfacial evaporators (SDIEs) as a sustainable approach to harvest fresh water by utilizing solar energy. Lignocellulosic biomass, featuring natural abundance, excellent renewability, unique natural structures, and superior biodegradability compared to the synthetic polymers, is highly attractive for constructing solar steam generators.
Lignocellulosic biomass as the largest reserves of renewable resources in nature attracts significant attention owing to its renewability, biocompatibility, and potential to address sustainability challenges, rendering it an ideal candidate for constructing SDIEs compared to the synthetic polymers. Wood, a typical example of lignocellulosic biomass, is regarded as a sustainable structural material. Its inherent multilayered and porous structure reminiscent of eggshell membranes demonstrates superior thermal insulation and natural hydrophilicity, which are exceptionally well-suited both as a thermal insulator and water conduit in solar interfacial evaporators. Notably, the natural advantages of wood with inherent efficient water transport and heat insulation enable to simplify device design, reduce production costs, and support scalability in desalination applications. Cellulose and lignin, the primary structural constituents of wood, have been widely investigated for use in SDIEs. Cellulose exhibits excellent hydrophilicity, high mechanical strength, axial rigidity and modulus, structural stability, and chemical reactivity, which render cellulose-based substrates highly adaptable for SDIEs applications and hold significant promise for sustainable development. Meanwhile, lignin is distinguished by its highly intricate molecular architecture, which encompasses a diverse array of functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and epoxy moieties, thereby enabling a broad range of chemical modifications. Notably, the strong polycyclic π-conjugated framework of lignin promotes π–π molecular interactions, which are instrumental for efficient and sustainable photothermal conversion.
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Jinlong Zhu, Jifei Zhang, Jincheng Zha, Siqi Zhao, Wenfeng Ren, Bing Wang, Ling-Ping Xiao, Sanwei Hao, Changyou Shao, Jun Yang, Runcang Sun (2026). Engineering Renewable Lignocellulosic Biomass as Sustainable Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporators. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-02000-y
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are solar-driven interfacial evaporators (SDIEs)?
SDIEs are devices that use solar energy to generate steam at the air-water interface, offering a sustainable method for freshwater production, particularly for desalination and wastewater treatment.
Why is lignocellulosic biomass suitable for SDIEs?
Lignocellulosic biomass is abundant, renewable, biodegradable, and has unique natural structures (e.g., porous, hydrophilic) that are beneficial for water transport, thermal insulation, and photothermal conversion, making it an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymers.
What are the main applications of lignocellulosic biomass-based SDIEs?
Beyond desalination, these evaporators can be used for power generation, wastewater treatment, antimicrobial applications, atmospheric water harvesting, and photocatalytic hydrogen production.
What are the key challenges for scaling up biomass-based SDIEs?
Challenges include improving evaporation efficiency, ensuring long-term stability, reducing production costs, and developing scalable fabrication methods while maintaining environmental sustainability.
How does lignin contribute to photothermal conversion?
Lignin's polycyclic π-conjugated framework promotes π–π molecular interactions, which enhance light absorption and photothermal conversion efficiency, making it a valuable component for solar evaporators.
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