FURI | Fall 2020

Sonication-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of B4C Nanosheets for Fabrication of a Solar Steam Generator

A solar steam generator is a device that uses solar energy to produce steam in order to desalinate and purify water. More efficient and cheaper materials are needed to absorb sunlight to heat up the water and make steam. The researcher found a new layered material, boron carbide (B4C) can be exfoliated though bath sonication. The researcher will find if sonication assisted hydrothermal synthesis can make nanosheets that are used in an aerogel to capture the sunlight for the steam generator.