Progress in 3D-Graphene Assemblies Preparation for Solar-Thermal Steam Generation and Water Treatment

Abstract

Currently, water shortage is a globally prevalent issue, with approximately 1.5 billion people in over 80 countries in the world are facing a shortage of fresh water. Among them, 300 million people in 26 countries face daily water shortages. It is estimated that by 2025, billions of people will suffer due water shortage. The desalination of seawater and other water treatment technologies have been widely investigated to solve this problem. Recently, a lot of study have been carried out on the production of clean water via solar evaporation with new materials and technologies. Under the condition of illumination, the light-absorbing material converts solar energy directly into heat energy to realize rapid and large amount of water evaporation, after condensation, clean water was obtained. It is important that this technology can effectively remove salt, bacteria, and other pollutants from raw water, and the quality of the obtained water fully meets the drinking water quality standard set by the World Health Organization. This is an efficient, green, and low-cost method for solving the shortage of water resources. Three-dimensional (3D) graphene materials have excellent physical and chemical properties, high photothermal conversion efficiency, high solar absorption rate, rich internal micro-and nanochannels, good water transmission channels, and large surface water evaporation area; in addition, they can achieve an ultra-high water evaporation rate under solar irradiation. These properties are highly significant in the research and practical applications of photothermal water treatment. In this study, the research progress of 3D-graphene is discussed with regard to the following three aspects. 1) The main preparation method of 3D-graphene was investigated. The advantages and disadvantages of different preparation methods, such as self-assembly, template, and chemical vapor deposition methods were summarized and compared. It can provide reference for readers to choose the preparation method of 3D-graphene; 2) The basic principle of photothermal water evaporation is introduced in detail. The research progress of photothermal water evaporation was summarized based on pure graphene, graphene/polymer composites, and graphene/metal oxide composites. The evaporation properties of different materials were compared. The development, fabrication, and performance of small photothermal conversion devices are briefly introduced; 3) The water treatment of graphene photothermal water evaporation was investigated, and its limitations were analyzed and summarized. Consequently, the challenges faced by photothermal evaporation in theoretical research and the problems to be solved in practical production applications are finally prospected. This review is a valuable reference for the development of 3D-graphene materials and solar-thermal steam generation and water treatment.