Composite Material for Solar Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water purification systems, particularly solar-powered ones, face challenges in effectively separating purified water from contaminated sources containing low-boiling-point contaminants due to high costs and inefficient instrumentation, as they often evaporate contaminants along with water, compromising purification performance.
Innovation Solution
A composite material with a polymeric structure and functionalized carbonous material is used, which draws contaminated water via capillary action and removes low-boiling-point contaminants through its functionalized surface, allowing for high evaporation rates and efficient purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high photothermal conversion efficiency materials are used to achieve high water evaporation rate, then water purification efficiency is improved, but low-boiling-point contaminants are evaporated along with water, compromising purification performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the purification system into two functional components: a photothermal conversion layer for water evaporation and a adsorption layer for contaminant removal. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between evaporation rate and purification performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material structure combining photothermal conversion materials (for high evaporation rate) with adsorption materials having functionalized surfaces (for contaminant removal). The composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of high productivity and high purification precision by integrating materials with complementary properties
2Reliability
If conventional water purification systems are used, then purification function is provided, but instrumentation setup is tedious and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs materials with inherent photothermal conversion and adsorption properties that automatically perform purification functions when exposed to sunlight. The system requires no complex instrumentation, pumps, or external power sources - the materials self-regulate the evaporation and purification processes based on environmental conditions, dramatically simplifying device complexity while maintaining reliable purification function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite material achieves a high evaporation rate of 2.1 kg/m²/h with 93% solar evaporation efficiency and effectively removes contaminants like heavy metals and organic dyes, maintaining high water purity and evaporation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The polymeric structure draws contaminated water from the contaminated water source into the polymeric structure via capillary action
Implementation Method 2
the carbonous material has a functionalized surface. The polymeric structure draws contaminated water from the contaminated water source into the polymeric structure via capillary action, and the functionalized surface removes the low-boiling-point contaminant from the contaminated water
Implementation Method 3
applying radiation to the composite material to generate water vapor therefrom
Implementation Method 4
a solar absorber converts optical energy and radiation into heat for nearby water evaporation, in which the evaporated water (i.e. water vapor) will be condensed and collected
Implementation Method 5
condensing the water vapor into water droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A composite material for floating on a contaminated water source, including: A) a polymeric structure having a network of interconnected porous channels; and B) a carbonous material dispersed within the polymeric structure, the carbonous material has a functionalized surface. The composite material has a density of less than 1 g/cm3, and the contaminated water source contains a low-boiling-point contaminant. The polymeric structure draws contaminated water from the contaminated water source into the polymeric structure via capillary action, and the functionalized surface removes the low-boiling point contaminant from the contaminated water. A method of purifying water using the composite material as mentioned herein and a kit for harvesting purified water including the composite material as mentioned herein.