Sung Jea Park,

Journal of Advanced Technology Research, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 7-15, Jun. 2025
10.11111/JATR.2025.10.1.007, Full Text:
Keywords: Mold, Injection molding, Mold core, Mold insert, high-aspect-ratio microstrcuture
Abstract

This paper comprehensively examines nanocellulose-based solar steam generation (SSG) technology, covering its working principles, synthesis methods, system implementations, and future prospects. At its core, SSG converts solar energy into heat via photothermal materials to drive steam generation, with interfacial heating proving especially effective by localizing energy onto a thin water layer and minimizing thermal losses. Nanocellulose (NC)-a renewable, biodegradable material with high mechanical strength, hydrophilicity, porous structure, and tunable surface chemistry-serves as a versatile platform in SSG systems, acting as supports for photothermal materials, water-transport channels, and thermal insulation layers. Key fabrication methods for nanocellulose are included in this paper. Representative implementations-such as CNF/graphite aerogels, carbon nanotube-modified sugarcane, and CNF/MXene/PL aerogel films achieve evaporation rates of 1.6–3.8 kg m-² h-¹ with energy efficiencies of 94-98%, aided by reduced evaporation enthalpy via ‘intermediate water’ formation. To facilitate commercialization, challenges remain in reducing production costs, ensuring long-term stability (especially salt resistance), and resolving environmental/toxicity concerns of nanomaterials. Future research is urged towards developing hybrid composites, integrating with photovoltaics or thermoelectrics, designing modular systems, and expanding applications to wastewater treatment, agricultural water provision, and even space exploration. This paper can offer valuable insights for researchers and developers, highlighting the technological potential of nanocellulose-based SSG as a sustainable solution for global water and energy challenges.

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