Interfacial solar steam generator based on reduced graphene oxide/polyurethane monolith for efficient seawater desalination

dc.contributor.authorManoto, Bontle A.
dc.contributor.authorBezza, Fisseha Andualem
dc.contributor.authorTichapondwa, Shepherd Masimba
dc.contributor.authorChirwa, Evans M.N.
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-04T12:31:28Z
dc.date.available2025-09-04T12:31:28Z
dc.date.issued2025-07
dc.description.abstractSeawater desalination using renewable energy sources is a promising solution to combat global water scarcity. In this study, the development and performance of an interfacial solar steam generator (ISSG) based on a reduced graphene oxide/polyurethane (rGO/PU) monolith is reported. Graphene is a hexagonal lattice 2D structure of sp2 hybridized carbon atom. It has excellent properties such as high thermal conductivity and high specific surface area making it a suitable candidate for thermal desalination. Pristine graphite was oxidised following Tour`s method. The rGO/PU monolith was fabricated through a hydrothermal self-assembly process and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and BET. Under 1 sun illumination, the ISSG achieved an evaporation rate of 1.34 kg·m?²·h?¹ and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 93%. This porous device effectively addressed the issue of energy localization, heat management, anti-scaling, and salt rejection. Our results demonstrate that the rGO/PU-based ISSG is a promising solution for efficient seawater desalination, and upscaling is recommended for practical applications.
dc.description.departmentChemical Engineering
dc.description.librarianhj2025
dc.description.sdgSDG-06: Clean water and sanitation
dc.description.sdgSDG-12: Responsible consumption and production
dc.description.urihttps://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/index
dc.identifier.citationManoto B.A., Bezza F.A., Tichapondwa S.M., Chirwa E.M.N., 2025, Interfacial Solar Steam Generator Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide/polyurethane Monolith for Efficient Seawater Desalination, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 117, 757-762. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET25117127.
dc.identifier.isbn979-12-81206-17-5
dc.identifier.issn2283-9216
dc.identifier.other10.3303/CET25117127
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/104218
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherItalian Association of Chemical Engineering
dc.rights© 2025, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.
dc.subjectSeawater desalination
dc.subjectRenewable energy sources
dc.subjectWater scarcity
dc.subjectInterfacial solar steam generator (ISSG)
dc.subjectReduced graphene oxide/polyurethane (rGO/PU)
dc.titleInterfacial solar steam generator based on reduced graphene oxide/polyurethane monolith for efficient seawater desalination
dc.typeArticle

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