Development and Evolution of the System Structure for Highly Efficient Solar Steam Generation from Zero to Three Dimensions

TLDR

Direct solar steam generation (DSSG) is a promising, sustainable approach to address energy and water crises, attracting attention for clean water production, desalination, wastewater treatment, and energy harvesting, yet its near‑100 % solar–thermal efficiency remains difficult to optimize due to a lack of unified evaluation methods. This review examines key concerns of dimensional materials and systems that shape DSSG performance, focusing on how system dimension influences energy efficiency and outlining opportunities for future design and commercialization. The authors employ quantitative analysis—calculating solar–thermal conversion efficiency, evaporation rate, and energy loss—to evaluate materials and systems from the perspective of ultimate utilization. They identify a clear relationship between system dimension and energy efficiency and highlight prospects for improved design and commercial deployment of DSSG.

Abstract

Abstract Direct solar steam generation (DSSG) offers a promising, sustainable, and environmentally friendly solution to the energy and water crisis. In the past decades, DSSG has gained tremendous attention due to its potential applications for clean water production, desalination, wastewater treatment, and electric energy harvesting. Even though the solar–thermal conversion efficiency has approached 100% under 1 sun illumination (1 kW m −2 ) using various photothermal materials and systems, the optimization of the materials and system structure remains unclear because of the lack of evaluation methods in unity for the output efficiency. In this review, a few key concerns about different dimensional materials and systems that determine the characteristics of DSSG are explored. Quantitative analysis, including calculations and methods for the solar–thermal conversion efficiency, evaporation rate, and energy loss, is employed to evaluate the materials and systems from the point of view of ultimate utilization. This article focuses on the relationship between the system dimension and energy efficiency and notes opportunities for future system design and commercialization of DSSG.