Highly interconnected sponge with optimized water absorption and thermal conductivity for efficient solar desalination

A highly interconnected sponge (HIS) with a tunable porous structure was developed for durable, efficient desalination. By balancing the water supply speed and heat loss, an optimal efficiency (∼95%) and high evaporation rate (∼3.9 kg m−2h−1) were achieved. The low cost ($0.125 m−2), mechanical tunability, and salt-resistance properties demonstrate the practical applicability of the HIS evaporator.