Laser-assisted synthesis of cobalt@N-doped carbon nanotubes decorated channels and pillars of wafer-sized silicon as highly efficient three-dimensional solar evaporator

Abstract The Co@NCNTs/Si pillars with channels was assemble to a suitable pure water gathering device, which was applied in seawater desalination and sewage purification to produce pure water by utilizing solar energy. High-efficiency utilization of solar energy to generate water vapor is popular, recyclable, and environmentally friendly for seawater desalination and sewage purification, helping to alleviate the global water shortage crisis. Here, we report an efficient and simple method to prepare a three-dimensional (3D) evaporator for steam generation by harnessing the power of the sun. This evaporation is composed of one-dimensional (1D) cobalt embedded and nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (Co@NCNTs) and 3D silicon pillars array structure (Si pillars). The Co@NCNTs/Si pillars show a wide light absorption range provided by carbon nanotubes and a long light absorption path because of the silicon pillars. The surface temperature of the sample rises rapidly in 1.5 min and exceed 80 °C under solar illumination of 1 sun. The water evaporation can be high as 1.21 kg m−2 h−1 under one sun irradiation (1 kW/m2) with the energy efficiency up to 82.4%. This scalable Co@NCNTs/Si pillars can prepare pure water from seawater and sewage, where the removal rate of ions in seawater and pollutants in sewage is similar to 100%. Based on our research, this multistage three-dimensional structure is a simple and efficient novel photothermal material for extensive seawater desalination and sewage purification.