Page 26 - Research and Innovation Pulse

Research Impact

February 2026 Research Publications

Interfacial Engineering and Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Coatings Engineering Interfacial Thermal Energy Management via
in Solar Evaporators: Strategies for Balancing Evaporation and Grooved B4C-Polyurethane Architectures for High-Efficiency

Condensation - A Comprehensive Review Solar-Thermal Desalination

Author(s): Author(s):

Irshad, M. S. (Hubei University), Maqsood, G. (Hubei University), Arshad, N. (Shenzhen University), Shakoor, B. Fan, X. (Xinjiang Institute of Engineering), Shi, R. (Xinjiang Institute of Engineering), Ahmed, I. (Abu Dhabi University),
(University of Wah), Ahmed, I. (Abu Dhabi University), Ali, M. A. (Hubei University), Asghar, M. S. (Hubei University), Howells, C. T. (Abu Dhabi University), Al Huwayz, M. (Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Alomar, M. (Princess
Li, W. (Hubei University), Li, W. (Hubei University), Mushtaq, N. (Hubei University), Ghazanfar, U. (University of Wah), Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Shakoor, B. (University of Wah), Shah, M. (University of Wah), Arshad, N. (Hubei
Rehman, S. U. (Euromed University of Fes), Sabir, M. (Wuhan University of Technology), Saqib, M. (University of University), Ha, V. T. H. (PHENIKAA University), Lien, D. T. (PHENIKAA University), Dao, V.-D. (PHENIKAA University),
Bologna), Mei, T. (Hubei University), Tianxiang, Z. (Hubei University), Shamim, T. (Northern Illinois University), Zhang, J. Sultan Irshad, M. (Hubei University)
(Suzhou University of Science and Technology), Wang, H. (Shenzhen University), Dao, V.-D. (PHENIKAA University), Ho,
N. X. (PHENIKAA University), Wang, X. (Hubei University) Index Terms:

Index Terms: Cost effectiveness; Effluents; Engineering research; Evaporators; Hydrophilicity; Metal ions; Salt removal; Thermal
Engineering; Wastewater treatment; Fresh Water; Groove-engineered; Grooved structures; Higher efficiency;
Coatings; Condensers (liquefiers); Conversion efficiency; Evaporation; Evaporators; Hydrophilicity; Phase change Localisation; Solar evaporators; Thermal; Thermal energy management; Thermal localization; Water scarcity; Boron
materials; Phase interfaces; Solar energy; Thermal Engineering; Balancing evaporation and condensation; Energy; carbide; Economic and social effects; Evaporation
Evaporation and condensation; Hydrophilic/hydrophobic; Hydrophilic/hydrophobic coating; Hydrophobic coatings;
Interfacial engineering; Photo-thermal; Solar evaporators; Steam generation; Condensation; controlled study; electric Abstract:
potential; enthalpy; evaporation; fresh water; liquid; nonhuman; pharmaceutics; reduction (chemistry); review; solar
energy; vapor; water; water vapor Solar-driven interfacial evaporation represents a sustainable pathway to mitigate global water scarcity; however, its
practical implementation is often constrained by the trade-off between high efficiency, structural complexity, and
Abstract: susceptibility to salt fouling. Herein, we developed a scalable, cost-effective solar evaporator fabricated from boron
carbide (B4C) nanoparticles, which is anchored on a groove-engineered polyurethane (PU) foam within a polyvinyl
Solar-driven steam generation (SSG) is an efficient process for converting solar energy into thermal energy, alcohol (PVA) matrix, bridging the gap between efficiency and scalability. This cavity-inspired grooved structure
demonstrating significant potential for industrial use. Recent progress in interfacial engineering, particularly couples efficient photothermal conversion, local heat confinement without any solar concentrator, and fast water
through innovations in photothermal layer design and condenser optimization, has enabled remarkable solar- transport with effective hydrophilicity (zero contact angle). The effective heat localization realized in these grooved
thermal conversion efficiencies at the air/liquid interface. This review systematically examines interfacial engineering structures (42.16 °C) than plain structure (39.06 °C), as simulated through COMSOL heat transfer simulations. Under
strategies for high-performance evaporators, emphasizing the critical role of hydrophilic/hydrophobic coatings one-sun irradiation, the optimized evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of 1.55 kg m−2 h−1, a value increased
in achieving sustainable water production. Furthermore, it evaluates condensing structures, comprehensively by 28 % compared with plain structure systems (1.21 kg m−2 h−1) while maintaining stable performance across
classifying condensers and their influence on freshwater yield. By analyzing key physical factors, including phase- diverse aqueous environments, including seawater, river water, and industrial effluents (MO, MB, RhB) with varying
change dynamics, vapor-liquid equilibrium, and enthalpy reduction strategies for photothermal materials (PTMs), as salinity and pH. The system also exhibits exceptional antifouling characteristics, with >99 % salt rejection and > 98 %
well as the harnessing of ambient energy for enhanced evaporation, this review offers a framework to elucidate the removal of heavy metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+). This work combines material innovation with structure design and pushes
mechanisms of hydrophilic/hydrophobic coatings and identify potential breakthroughs under optimized conditions. the development of robust, high-throughput solar evaporators for the real world for desalination and wastewater
Finally, we discuss the prospective applications of SSG systems with advanced evaporators and condensers, alongside treatment. The B4C@PU system thereby provides a green route for alleviating water scarcity by simultaneously
the prevailing challenges in scalability and practical implementation. solving the critical bottlenecks of density, cost, and salt fouling.

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Abu Dhabi University | Research and Innovation Pulse Newsletter 27