A multilayer mesh porous 3D-felt fabric evaporator with concave array structures for high-performance solar desalination and electricity generation

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a promising sustainable strategy to address global water scarcity. However, developing large-area, high-performance, multifunctional anti-fouling, and energy-using solar steam collection systems remains a significant challenge. Here, inspired by nature, we designed and prepared 3D-Felt fabric evaporators with hydrophilic MXene and chitosan&dopamine modified concave array structures, featuring multilayer mesh porous structures and adjustable concave sizes. Benefiting from the unique structural advantages, this evaporator has high light absorption ability (98.1%), balance between interfacial heating and water supply rate, effective vapor diffusion and low water evaporation enthalpy. The 3D evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of up to 2.69 kg m-2 h-1 under one-sun illumination, an impressive photothermal conversion efficiency of 97.09%, and an outdoor evaporation volume of up to 11.64 kg m-2. It exhibits high antibacterial (efficiency 99%), salt resistance (200 h in 15 wt% NaCl solution) and oil contamination resistance (underwater oil contact angle of 150°), allowing for long-term stable water purification. Importantly, the integrated solar evaporation system simultaneously provides effective desalination, self-sustaining irrigation for agriculture, and thermal energy-powered electricity generation. This work offers practical demonstration and good purifying performance, inspiring new paradigms for developing high performance solar vapor technology.