Pyramid Array Evaporators: Synergizing Solar Evaporation and Thermoelectric Effects for Sustainable Water Purification and Energy Harvesting

Interfacial solar desalination provides an effective solution to freshwater shortages.

However, the inefficiency of low-grade solar thermal energy, low evaporation efficiency, and poor salt tolerance of evaporators hinder their widespread application.

In this study, we have designed a pyramidal array evaporator integrated with thermoelectric (TE) modules. The TE modules harvest low-grade heat and convert it into electricity using the Seebeck effect. Numerical simulations confirm that the pyramidal array structure enhances light capture and synergistically concentrates temperature and Marangoni forces, effectively preventing salt crystallization. The impact of Mo2C and Ti3C2Tx MXene on water evaporation rates was evaluated using molecular dynamics simulations. The evaporator achieves a notable water evaporation rate of 2.83 kg m -2 h -1 under 1 sun, exhibits salt resistance and efficient thermoelectric conversion (output power: 80 mW m -2 ). This versatile evaporator provides a practical solution for water purification and electricity generation in remote areas and is adaptable to various challenging environments.