Shape tailored Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanosheet aggregates for high efficiency solar desalination

In this paper, the shape tailored high-purity kesterite phase Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) nanosheet aggregates (NSAs) were prepared in a low cost one-pot solvothermal method, and further fabricated into a salt-blocking membrane for solar desalination. The designed CZTS NSAs membrane-based solar steam generation device featured high solar absorptivity, low thermal energy loss and long-term stability, achieving a remarkable water evaporation rate of 1.54 kg/m²h and solar steam conversion efficiency of 78.85%. It is noteworthy that the quality of artificial seawater desalinated by evaporation was better than that of distilled water, and organic dyes, in particular, could be degraded by nearly 100%. It indicates that the CZTS NSAs membrane is likely to be one of the greatest potential substitutes for seawater desalination as well as repurification of urban reclaimed water and chemical wastewater.