Advances in photothermal water evaporation: synthesis, mechanisms, and coupled techniques

Recent advancements in light-driven interfacial water evaporation have underscored the potential of photothermal materials for producing clean water from various sources, including seawater, rivers, lakes, and wastewater. Despite these advancements, challenges in environmental management and energy conversion persist. The development of multifunctional photothermal materials and composites has addressed these challenges by integrating active species into water evaporation devices, thereby enhancing their performance and applicability. This review provides a thorough examination of recent progress in photothermal materials for water purification. It covers advances in material synthesis, optimization of evaporator configurations through various techniques, and their application in water treatment and clean water production. The discussion includes innovative heat management strategies designed to improve system efficiency. The review concludes by identifying current challenges and suggesting future research directions to advance the field of efficient water purification and clean water production.