All Wood‐Based Evaporator via Cell Wall Regulating for Integrated Water and Energy Generation

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Abstract

Solar‐powered interfacial evaporators (SPIEs) derived from natural wood present a sustainable solution to global water scarcity. However, the full‐component utilization of wood and the precise engineering of its microstructure remain underexplored. Here, response surface methodology is coupled with cell wall engineering to regulate the dissolution‐regeneration of cellulose in situ in the cell wall, constructing micro/nanofibrillar networks within wood and facilitating water transport. Lignin, self‐extracted from natural wood, is employed as a photothermal material, enabling integrated photothermal layer design and achieving a photothermal conversion efficiency of 91.25%. The resulting wood‐based SPIE (W‐SPIE) delivers a high evaporation rate of 2.07 kg m −2 h −1 . Concurrent water‐electricity co‐generation is achieved during water harvesting, yielding 254.52 mV and 1.07 µA, with a sustained evaporation rate of 1.92 kg m −2 h −1 . Life‐cycle assessment indicates a 30.99% reduction in carbon emissions relative to petroleum‐derived hydrogel evaporators. This W‐SPIE demonstrates an effective, carbon‐conscious approach for simultaneous clean water production and energy harvesting, offering a viable strategy for addressing escalating global water and energy demands through full valorization of renewable wood resources.

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