Design Efficiency: A Critical Perspective on Testing Methods for Solar-Driven Photothermal Evaporation and Photocatalysis.

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Title: Design Efficiency: A Critical Perspective on Testing Methods for Solar-Driven Photothermal Evaporation and Photocatalysis.
Authors: Hamza, Hady1 (AUTHOR), Diamanti, Maria Vittoria2 (AUTHOR), Lughi, Vanni3 (AUTHOR), Rossi, Sergio1,4 (AUTHOR), Meroni, Daniela1,4 (AUTHOR) daniela.meroni@unimi.it
Source: Nanomaterials (2079-4991). Jul2025, Vol. 15 Issue 14, p1121. 19p.
Subjects: Water purification, Photocatalysis, Solar stills, Photothermal effect, Saline water conversion, Fouling, Green technology, Test methods
Abstract: Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, intensified by climate change, seawater intrusion, and pollution. While conventional desalination methods are energy-intensive, solar-driven interfacial evaporators offer a promising low-energy solution by leveraging solar energy for water evaporation, with the resulting steam condensed into purified water. Despite advancements, challenges persist, particularly in addressing volatile contaminants and biofouling, which can compromise long-term performance. The integration of photocatalysts into solar-driven interfacial evaporators has been proposed as a solution, enabling pollutant degradation and microbial inactivation while enhancing water transport and self-cleaning properties. This review critically assesses testing methodologies for solar-driven interfacial evaporators incorporating both photothermal and photocatalytic functions. While previous studies have examined materials and system design, the added complexity of photocatalysis necessitates new testing approaches. First, solar still setups are analyzed, particularly concentrating on the selection of materials and geometry for the transparent cover and water-collecting surfaces. Then, performance evaluation tests are discussed, with focus on the types of tested pollutants and analytical techniques. Finally, key challenges are presented, providing insights for future advancements in sustainable water purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Nanomaterials (2079-4991) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Label: Title
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  Data: Design Efficiency: A Critical Perspective on Testing Methods for Solar-Driven Photothermal Evaporation and Photocatalysis.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hamza%2C+Hady%22">Hamza, Hady</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Diamanti%2C+Maria+Vittoria%22">Diamanti, Maria Vittoria</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lughi%2C+Vanni%22">Lughi, Vanni</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rossi%2C+Sergio%22">Rossi, Sergio</searchLink><relatesTo>1,4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Meroni%2C+Daniela%22">Meroni, Daniela</searchLink><relatesTo>1,4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> daniela.meroni@unimi.it</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Nanomaterials+%282079-4991%29%22">Nanomaterials (2079-4991)</searchLink>. Jul2025, Vol. 15 Issue 14, p1121. 19p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Water+purification%22">Water purification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Photocatalysis%22">Photocatalysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Solar+stills%22">Solar stills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Photothermal+effect%22">Photothermal effect</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Saline+water+conversion%22">Saline water conversion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fouling%22">Fouling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Green+technology%22">Green technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+methods%22">Test methods</searchLink>
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  Data: Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, intensified by climate change, seawater intrusion, and pollution. While conventional desalination methods are energy-intensive, solar-driven interfacial evaporators offer a promising low-energy solution by leveraging solar energy for water evaporation, with the resulting steam condensed into purified water. Despite advancements, challenges persist, particularly in addressing volatile contaminants and biofouling, which can compromise long-term performance. The integration of photocatalysts into solar-driven interfacial evaporators has been proposed as a solution, enabling pollutant degradation and microbial inactivation while enhancing water transport and self-cleaning properties. This review critically assesses testing methodologies for solar-driven interfacial evaporators incorporating both photothermal and photocatalytic functions. While previous studies have examined materials and system design, the added complexity of photocatalysis necessitates new testing approaches. First, solar still setups are analyzed, particularly concentrating on the selection of materials and geometry for the transparent cover and water-collecting surfaces. Then, performance evaluation tests are discussed, with focus on the types of tested pollutants and analytical techniques. Finally, key challenges are presented, providing insights for future advancements in sustainable water purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Nanomaterials (2079-4991) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.3390/nano15141121
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Photocatalysis
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      – SubjectFull: Solar stills
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      – SubjectFull: Photothermal effect
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      – SubjectFull: Fouling
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      – SubjectFull: Green technology
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      – SubjectFull: Test methods
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      – TitleFull: Design Efficiency: A Critical Perspective on Testing Methods for Solar-Driven Photothermal Evaporation and Photocatalysis.
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            NameFull: Hamza, Hady
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            NameFull: Lughi, Vanni
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              Text: Jul2025
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