JUJUNCAO-Stem-Based Interfacial Solar-Driven Evaporator with Natural Two-Phase Composite Structures of Functional Partition and Inherent Ultralow Vaporization Enthalpy of Water for Stable and Efficient Steam Production

The interfacial solar-driven evaporation has been deemed as an environmentally friendly approach for freshwater generation. Nevertheless, there is still a challenge to obtain solar evaporators with efficient vapor production from low-cost and renewable biomass through a simple preparation process. Herein, the JUJUNCAO stem was selected as the substrate material, and a kind of interfacial solar-driven evaporator with natural two-phase composite structures and inherent ultralow water vaporization enthalpy was constructed by a dip-coating process. The natural two-phase composite structures were utilized as independent functional partition: the low-tortuosity and hydrophilic vascular bundles served as hierarchical channels for rapid water transportation and continuous steam escape, and the honeycomb-like parenchyma cells were considered natural heat insulators for effective thermal management. Furthermore, the JUJUNCAO stem exhibited inherent ultralow water vaporization enthalpy which was only 1.15 kJ g–1. Benefiting from the natural two-phase composite structures of functional partition and inherent ultralow water vaporization enthalpy, the C-Js evaporator could achieve an evaporation rate of 2.77 kg m–2 h–1 with an efficiency of 85.6% under 1 sun illumination. Meanwhile, the C-Js exhibited a stable and ideal evaporation performance and metal ion rejection behavior in the actual brine desalination process. Owing to the cost-effective and simple pretreatment process, the C-Js evaporator has the potential for freshwater generation in undeveloped areas.