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Preparation of mechanically robust Fe3O4/porous carbon/diatomite composite monolith for solar steam generation

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Abstract

Mechanically robust Fe3O4/porous carbon/diatomite composite monolith was prepared from waste corrugated cardboard box and diatomite via slurrying in FeCl3 solution, dewatering, molding, and carbonization at 600 °C. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), N2-adsorption/desorption, Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopy. The water wettability, photothermal conversion property, and solar steam generation performance of the products were also evaluated. Results showed that the presence of FeCl3 led to the formation of more pores and magnetic Fe3O4 crystallites, while diatomite provided good hydrophilicity for the composite. The product exhibited light absorption above 65% within the wavelength ranging from 200 to1974 nm, and its surface temperature eventually increased by 30 °C under 0.25 sun irradiation due to photothermal effect. Moreover, solar steam yield under 0.25 sun irradiation for 3600 s was improved by 67% with the presence of the monolithic composite because of the occurrence of interfacial solar steam generation and heat transfer from the composite acted as a heat island.

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Acknowledgment

The authors wish to thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51909292) and Fundamental Research Funds for Central Public Welfare Scientific Research Institution (K-JBYWF-2018-T02, K-JBYWF-2019-ZT02, Y-JBYWF-2019-16).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, Tian**, 300192, China

    Yuhui Ma & Junrui Cao

  2. Tian** Haiyue Water Treatment High-tech Co., Ltd., Tian**, 300192, China

    Junrui Cao

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  1. Yuhui Ma
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  2. Junrui Cao
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Correspondence to Yuhui Ma.

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Floating PCFe-WCCB/DM being attracted by a magnet (MP4 857 kb)

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Ma, Y., Cao, J. Preparation of mechanically robust Fe3O4/porous carbon/diatomite composite monolith for solar steam generation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 45775–45786 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10511-x

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