We developed a novel solar steam generator (SSG) with high solar conversion efficiency and excellent salt resistance. A CO2 laser was used to convert the surface of basswood to graphitic carbon layers (GCL), and various grid patterns of GCL were created on wood. The low thermal conductivity of wood suppressed heat loss to bulk water, and the presence of the grooves in the grid increased the evaporation rate by increasing the surface area to absorb more sunlight. In addition, the supply of bulk water through the grooves endowed the SSG with salt resistance and self-regeneration properties. The salt resistance was maintained in a 20-wt % NaCl solution for the duration of the experiment (2 weeks), which indicates that the developed SSG can be used in saline water for long-term operation.
Keywords: desalination; laser-induced graphitization; salt resistance; solar steam generator; wood.