Issue 10, 2016

Plasmonic photothermic directed broadband sunlight harnessing for seawater catalysis and desalination

Abstract

Using readily available renewable resources, i.e. solar energy and seawater, to secure sustainable fuel and freshwater for humanity is an impactful quest. Here, we have designed solar thermal collector nanocomposites (SiO2/Ag@TiO2 core–shell) that possess efficient photothermic properties for highly targeted interfacial phase transition reactions that are synergistically favorable for both seawater catalysis and desalination reactions. The photothermic effect arising from plasmonic metal nanoparticles causes localized interfacial heating which directly triggers surface-dominated catalysis and steam generation processes, with minimal heat losses, reduced thermal masses and optics implementation. The solar thermal collector nanocomposites are seawater/photo stable for practical solar conversion of seawater to simultaneously produce clean energy and water. Finally, a proof-of-concept all-in-one compact solar hydrogen and distillate production prototype demonstrates the viability of sustainable photothermic driven catalysis and desalination of seawater under natural sunlight. Importantly, this approach holds great promise for enhancing energy and water productivity without considerable capital, infrastructure and environmental ramifications.

Graphical abstract: Plasmonic photothermic directed broadband sunlight harnessing for seawater catalysis and desalination

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Apr 2016
Accepted
06 Jun 2016
First published
06 Jun 2016
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Energy Environ. Sci., 2016,9, 3151-3160

Plasmonic photothermic directed broadband sunlight harnessing for seawater catalysis and desalination

M. Gao, P. K. N. Connor and G. W. Ho, Energy Environ. Sci., 2016, 9, 3151 DOI: 10.1039/C6EE00971A

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