Can a 3D-printed ceramic core be used for portable solar desalination devices?

Surfaces, Interfaces... Cite this: ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 13, 19, 23220–23229 This paper proposes the fabrication process of the first fully 3D-printed ceramic core structures for portable solar desalination devices optimized to tackle water scarcity from an energy and sustainability perspective.

Can ceramics be used as solar absorbers?

This approach necessitates materials that can simultaneously function as both solar absorbers and porous supports. Fortunately, we noticed ceramics. Most ceramics inherently possess excellent weather resistance, outstanding mechanical strength, and tunable porosity.

Can abrasive ceramics be produced using solar energy?

Industrial tests of abrasive ceramics based on corundum (Fig. 2 a), guard rings based on aluminum titanate for glass melting furnaces (Fig. 2 b), and ZrO 2 –MgO spinnerets (5 mol.%) for glass fiber production (Fig. 2 c) demonstrate the possibility of producing ceramic materials using solar energy as a heating source.

Why do we need a complex energy-consuming process for ceramic material production?

In traditional technological processes for ceramic material production, when additional oxygen enrichment at high temperatures is required, complex energy-consuming processes are necessary.

How efficient is solar evaporation in ceramics?

Ceramics exhibit both efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation and robust mechanical stability. Oxygen-deficient TiO 2 ceramics demonstrate simultaneous photodegradation of pollutants during evaporation. Evaporation rates reach 1.61 kg/m 2 /h and 1.72 kg/m 2 /h under 1 kW/m 2 simulated solar irradiation.

Are solar energy-based technologies a renewable natural resource?

The article reveals the necessity of developing solar energy-based technologies as an energy-saving renewable natural resource.