Carbon nanocomposites with high photothermal conversion efficiency

Photothermal conversion for water vapor generation is a novel strategy and an efficient way to utilize solar energy, which has great potential for water purification and desalination. In this review, the development of photothermal conversion and the classification of absorbers for solar vapor generation systems are presented, especially in recent development of carbon nanocomposites (carbon nanotubes and graphene) as solar vapor generation devices. Combined with recent progresses and achievements in this field, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for photothermal conversion based on carbon nanocomposites as well as their promising applications.