A multi-function bamboo-based solar interface evaporator for efficient solar evaporation and sewage treatment

Bamboo-based interfacial solar evaporation (B-BISE) is leading a new generation of biomass-based materials for solar-driven water purification. Compared with the popular wood, the variety, growth rate and unique channel structure of bamboo make it a research hotspot. Herein, inspired by bamboo transpiration, we manufactured an easily obtained solar evaporator. The TA/Fe3+ particles were successfully loaded onto the surface of bamboo by dipping it in tannic acid (TA) and Fe (III) solution. The acquired evaporator (TA/Fe3+-bamboo) has a unique structure that allows it to transport water horizontally and vertically, simultaneously low heat loss and outstanding light absorption can improve its evaporation performance. The evaporator exhibited evaporation performance with the rate of 1.152 kg m−2 h−1 and efficiency of 78.86 % at 1 kW m−2. Moreover, the device also exerted excellent decontamination function in sewage treatment, which was expected to obtain freshwater in sewage for human daily use. This research offers a new approach for effectively utilizing bamboo resources and provides a new direction for seawater desalination by using clean energy and biomass materials.