Pinecone-inspired photothermal evaporator and its preparation method

By designing double-shell phase change microcapsules and a biomimetic pinecone-like structure, the problems of light dependence, heat loss, and salt accumulation in solar thermal evaporators have been solved, achieving all-weather, high-efficiency seawater desalination and desalination.

CN122076337APending Publication Date: 2026-05-26WUHAN TEXTILE UNIV +2
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
WUHAN TEXTILE UNIV
Filing Date
2026-04-20
Publication Date
2026-05-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing solar thermal evaporators suffer from problems such as light dependence, heat loss, salt accumulation, and low thermal management efficiency. Furthermore, phase change materials are prone to leakage, making it impossible to achieve stable operation and efficient desalination around the clock.

Method used

A double-shell phase change microcapsule design was adopted. Phase change microcapsules were synthesized by the oil-in-water microemulsion method and coated with a polypyrrole layer. Combined with a nanofiber membrane and a biomimetic pinecone structure, a composite membrane strip was formed to achieve the synergistic effect of photothermal conversion and phase change thermal storage.

Benefits of technology

It achieves all-weather, high-efficiency solar-powered seawater desalination, solves the problems of light dependence and heat loss, prevents salt accumulation, increases evaporation area and maintains stability, and improves evaporation efficiency and desalination effect.

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Abstract

This application provides a pine cone-shaped photothermal evaporator and its preparation method, relating to the field of solar seawater desalination technology. The preparation method utilizes a silica-polypyrrole double-shell structure design to fabricate PPy-PCMs microcapsules that possess both high photothermal conversion efficiency across the entire spectrum and stable, reversible phase change heat storage function. A composite membrane is obtained by sequentially spraying a nanofiber suspension and a PPy-PCMs dispersion onto a substrate. The composite membrane is then cut into strips and radially fixed to the surface of a hydrophilic cotton rod, assembling them to form a biomimetic pine cone-shaped photothermal evaporator. This biomimetic pine cone-shaped photothermal evaporator exhibits stable structure, leak-proof and heat-resistant properties, excellent light absorption efficiency, and low thermal conductivity. It maintains high evaporation performance under both light and dark environments, demonstrates significant desalination effects, and maintains stable operation even in high-salinity water bodies, providing an efficient solution for all-weather water purification.
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