Recent research advances in efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation

Inspired by the natural water cycle, solar-driven interfacial evaporation for direct freshwater generation is considered as a sustainable and prospective desalination technology that can tackling the global freshwater scarcity under the ever-worsening climate change. Advanced designs and developments from both material and system levels are being developed for a more complete energy utilization and long-term stability in practical applications. Herein, the essential factors for efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation are introduced based on the classic and state-of-the-art works. Photothermal materials are briefly summarized to introduce the process, while the major focus is the rational design of photothermal evaporator, the effect on heat management, and the process of mass transfer. Furthermore, evaporator contamination issues from salt precipitation during seawater evaporation and the corresponding solving strategies are reviewed in detail. Finally, we prospect the development of solar desalination based on the novel photothermal evaporator and the present challenges on practical application. According to this review, researchers can receive a comprehensive view of the developments solar-driven interfacial evaporation and carry out their research effectively in this field.