Review on the recent development and applications of three dimensional (3D) photothermal materials for solar evaporators

The global demand for the production of clean water through sustainable and green method has gated research and development in different arenas. One such noteworthy technique for cleaning saltwater, polluted and wastewater is by solar evaporation. The basis of solar evaporation in evaporator is the presence of photothermal materials (PTM) and the design of the device. The PTM attracted immense attention for improving the parameters controlling the thermal management evaporators, thus imparting high efficacy to the system. Recent studies are being conducted development of three dimensional (3D) PTM which have demonstrated excellent performances compared to their two dimensional counterparts. This review encompasses the recent trends progress in 3D PTMs. The thermal, mechanical and optical properties of the 3D PTMs are dictated by specific structures, which have been elaborately discussed. The structural design and configuration different evaporators along with the material used for its fabrication imparting stability to the system been elaborated. The modified designs for thermal management and apposite transfer of water evaporating surface has been highlighted. The gaps still present in the use of 3D PTMs in solar rators for improving the absorption of light by the materials and conversion efficiency of sunlight to have been identified and prospects for development have been suggested for the production of water. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.