The application of cellulosic‐based materials on interfacial solar steam generation for highly efficient wastewater purification: A review

Abstract The world's population is growing, leading to an increasing demand for freshwater resources for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry. Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) can solve many problems, such as mitigating the power crisis, minimizing water pollution, and improving the purification and desalination of seawater, rivers/lakes, and wastewater. Cellulosic materials are a viable and ecologically sound technique for capturing solar energy that is adaptable to a range of applications. This review paper aims to provide an overview of current advancements in the field of cellulose‐based materials ISSG devices, specifically focusing on their applications in water purification and desalination. This paper examines the cellulose‐based materials ISSG system and evaluates the effectiveness of various cellulosic materials, such as cellulose nanofibers derived from different sources, carbonized wood materials, and two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D cellulosic‐based materials from various sources, as well as advanced cellulosic materials, including bacterial cellulose and cellulose membranes obtained from agricultural and industrial cellulose wastes. The focus is on exploring the potential applications of these materials in ISSG devices for water desalination, purification, and treatment. The function, advantages, and disadvantages of cellulosic materials in the performance of ISSG devices were also deliberated throughout our discussion. In addition, the potential and suggested methods for enhancing the utilization of cellulose‐based materials in the field of ISSG systems for water desalination, purification, and treatment were also emphasized.