Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation and Self-Powered Water Wave Detection Based on an All-Cellulose Monolithic Design

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is an emerging technology with a strong potential for applications in water distillation and desalination. However, the high-cost, complex fabrication, leaching, and disposal of synthetic materials remain the major roadblocks toward large-scale applications. Herein, the benefits offered by renewable bacterial cellulose (BC) are considered and an all-cellulose-based interfacial steam generator is developed. In this monolithic design, three BC-based aerogels are fabricated and integrated to endow the 3D steam generator with well-defined hybrid structures and several self-contained properties of lightweight, efficient evaporation, and good durability. Under 1 sun, the interfacial steam generator delivers high water evaporation rates of 1.82 and 4.32 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under calm and light air conditions, respectively. These results are among the best-performing interfacial steam generators, and surpass a majority of devices constructed from cellulose and other biopolymers. Importantly, the first example of integrating solar-driven interfacial evaporation with water wave detection is also demonstrated by introducing a self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). This work highlights the potential of developing biopolymer-based, eco-friendly, and durable steam generators, not merely scaling up sustainable clean water production, but also discovering new functions for detecting wave parameters of surface water.