Recent advancements in biomass-based photothermal material for interfacial solar steam generation

Abstract. In recent years, photothermal materials have been extensively used to enhanced solar evaporation thermal efficiency. A wide variety of photothermal materials, including those based on biomass, plasmonic nanoparticles, metal oxide, carbon materials, and polymers, displayed excellent results for interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG). This research article presents a recent advancement in photothermal materials derived from waste biomass used for ISSG and discusses their key thermal properties, solar absorption, synthesis methods, thermal energy conversion efficiency, and water evaporation rate. The paper highlights the importance of thermal stability and cost-effective synthesis methods for the design of biomass photothermal materials. We also discussed the problems and prospects in the development of biomass photothermal materials, highlighting the need for scalable, cost-effective manufacturing methods and encouraging the development of sustainable, efficient solar energy conversion technologies.