journal article·2026-02Open access

Biomimetic Adaptive Hydrothermal Balance Fabric‐Based Dual‐Interface Solar Evaporator for Efficient and Stable Desalination

Ning Niu, Lingjie Yu, Jiaguang Meng, Wei Fan, Kaili Chen, Wanwan He, Yongzhen Wang, Yaming Liu, Ying Li, Zhaoling Sun, Chao Zhi

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 10

Abstract

Abstract Matching energy input to water supply is key to efficient solar‐driven interfacial water evaporation, but conventional interfacial solar steam generators (ISSGs) fail to adapt to diurnal solar flux fluctuations, thus hindering the achievement of dynamic hydrothermal balance. Inspired by marine octopuses, a fabric‐based dual‐interface solar evaporator (PDMS‐CFs‐CFF‐SF) is developed by integrating 3D knitting and electrostatic flocking, enabling adaptation to light intensity changes. When light intensity exceeds the upper interface's water supply capacity and heat accumulates, hydrophobic spacer yarns facilitate the directional transfer of excess heat to the lower interface, thereby triggering dual‐interface evaporation. The lower interface, leveraging its large‐pore structure, regulates moisture content to match the transferred excess heat. Moreover, the octopus‐inspired structure increases the evaporation area, enriches vapor escape channels, enhances thermal insulation performance, and adapts to sunlight incident at different angles. Under 1 kW m −2 irradiation, the evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of 3.14 kg m −2 h −1 and an efficiency of 129.32%. This work provides a novel structural strategy for developing ISSGs with dynamic hydrothermal balance capabilities.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods · Membrane Separation Technologies · Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

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

Affiliations

School of Textile Science and Engineering Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China

Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product Ministry of Education Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China

Shaanxi Textile Science Research Institute Co., Ltd. Xi'an Shaanxi 710016 China

College of Textile Science and Engineering Jiangnan University Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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