journal article·2026-02

All Wood‐Based Evaporator via Cell Wall Regulating for Integrated Water and Energy Generation

Yuanjie Gu, Danning Wang, Jingren Ma, Ying Gao, Weisheng Yang, Yong Xu, Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Huining Xiao, Jingquan Han

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 36· Issue 17
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract Solar‐powered interfacial evaporators (SPIEs) derived from natural wood present a sustainable solution to global water scarcity. However, the full‐component utilization of wood and the precise engineering of its microstructure remain underexplored. Here, response surface methodology is coupled with cell wall engineering to regulate the dissolution‐regeneration of cellulose in situ in the cell wall, constructing micro/nanofibrillar networks within wood and facilitating water transport. Lignin, self‐extracted from natural wood, is employed as a photothermal material, enabling integrated photothermal layer design and achieving a photothermal conversion efficiency of 91.25%. The resulting wood‐based SPIE (W‐SPIE) delivers a high evaporation rate of 2.07 kg m −2 h −1 . Concurrent water‐electricity co‐generation is achieved during water harvesting, yielding 254.52 mV and 1.07 µA, with a sustained evaporation rate of 1.92 kg m −2 h −1 . Life‐cycle assessment indicates a 30.99% reduction in carbon emissions relative to petroleum‐derived hydrogel evaporators. This W‐SPIE demonstrates an effective, carbon‐conscious approach for simultaneous clean water production and energy harvesting, offering a viable strategy for addressing escalating global water and energy demands through full valorization of renewable wood resources.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods · Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems · Water-Energy-Food Nexus Studies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

National Key Laboratory for the Development and Utilization of Forest Food Resources Co‐Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources College of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037 China

Department of Mechanical Engineering, 10–241 Donadeo Innovation Center for Engineering Advanced Water Research Lab (AWRL) University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 1H9 Canada

School of Materials and Energy Lanzhou University Lanzhou 730000 China

College of Chemical Engineering Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing Jiangsu 210037 China

Chemical Engineering Department New Brunswick University Fredericton NB E3B 5A3 Canada

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province · China Scholarship Council

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