Hybrid solar evaporation system for water and electricity co-generation: Comprehensive utilization of solar and water energy

The water-energy nexus has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years owing to ongoing population growth, climate change, and environmental pollution. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) is a promising freshwater harvesting strategy rich in energy, including solar and water energy. Through comprehensive energy utilization in the SDIE system, high-efficiency water and electricity co-generation (WEG) hybrid systems can be established to optimize the existing water-energy nexus. WEG hybrid systems can overcome the traditional restriction of single-energy conversion, thereby promoting sustainable development. In this review, the energy flow in the SDIE system is analyzed, and a series of energy-harvesting strategies based on photovoltaic, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, reverse electrodialysis, and hydrovoltaic technologies are summarized. Recent advances in WEG hybrid systems have been emphasized. Additionally, the electric generation mechanism, system structure, efficiency, and further development of each WEG hybrid system are discussed. The advantages of integrating hydrovoltaic nanogenerators and SDIE systems are explained in this work. Furthermore, the development and extended applications of WEG systems are summarized. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of hybrid systems are discussed. The review of WEG hybrid systems is expected to inspire fundamental research and comprehensive applications, as well as provide auxiliary solutions for solving the shortage of fresh water and energy.