Sung Jea Park,

Journal of Advanced Technology Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 12-18, Dec. 2025
10.11111/JATR.2025.10.2.012, Full Text:
Keywords: Solar steam generation; Nanocellulose; Photothermal evaporation; Intermediate water; Water treatment
Abstract

Solar steam generation (SSG) has attracted growing attention as a sustainable and energy- efficient approach for water purification and desalination, yet practical implementation remains limited by low efficiency, salt fouling, and poor long-term stability. This review summarizes recent advances in nanocellulose-based SSG systems, focusing on their material advantages, evaporation mechanisms, and integrated design strategies. Nanocellulose offers high hydrophilicity, hierarchical porosity, low thermal conductivity, and renewability, enabling the integration of light absorption, water transport, and thermal insulation within a single platform. Key progress in photothermal hybridization and intermediate-water-mediated evaporation enthalpy reduction is discussed. In addition, multidimensional architectures and salt-rejection designs that enhance evaporation performance and operational durability are highlighted. Finally, potential applications in water treatment and coupled water–energy harvesting systems are briefly outlined, along with remaining challenges toward scalable and sustainable SSG technologies.

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