Pusan National University's Groundbreaking Study on Solar Desalination Technology

Advancements in Solar Desalination at Pusan National University

As global concerns over freshwater scarcity heighten, researchers at Pusan National University in South Korea are pioneering advanced solutions in solar desalination. With populations booming and industrial activities increasing, many regions, especially in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, are grappling with the acute shortage of safe drinking water. The pursuit of sustainable methods for water purification is now more critical than ever, and solar desalination emerges as a promising avenue in this quest.

Utilizing sunlight to evaporate and refine seawater, this innovative mechanism could serve as a reliable freshwater source in arid regions. However, seawater isn’t just composed of salt; it’s often contaminated with oil and other pollutants, particularly in coastal areas near ports and industries. This contamination can impede the efficacy of standard desalination membranes, which have typically been tested in controlled environments using untainted saltwater. Thus, the performance of these technologies in real-world conditions remained uncertain.

To tackle this challenge, Professor Sanghyun Jeong and his team at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have designed a new multifunctional hydrogel membrane tailored for solar desalination. Their research, published online on June 1, 2026, and set to appear in the journal Desalination on October 15, 2026, introduces a revolutionary approach by integrating oil separation and water desalination into a singular membrane architecture.

The membrane features a unique 'Janus' design, possessing two distinct surfaces catering to specific functions. One side, made of chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol, exhibits hydrophilic properties that facilitate water passage while effectively repelling oil droplets. Conversely, the hydrophobic side, embedded with copper oxide nanoparticles enveloped in a carbon shell and interspersed within a nanofiber layer, captures sunlight. This side not only absorbs solar energy but transforms it into heat, prompting water evaporation from its surface.

This innovative separation allows the membrane to operate efficiently without compromising performance across varying oil droplet sizes. Experimentation confirmed that the new membrane eliminates over 99.99% of oil contamination from polluted seawater and maintains high efficiency across repeated use. With a remarkable evaporation rate of 1.29 kilograms of water per square meter per hour, the new solution operates nearly three times more efficiently than conventional single-layer membranes.

Professor Jeong highlights the dual benefits of their technology: "Harnessing renewable solar energy while integrating contaminant separation with freshwater generation can dramatically lower energy demands, simplify operational processes, and reduce secondary waste production, fostering a more sustainable approach to water treatment."

Moreover, this research signifies a broader pathway towards future water treatment technologies. By showcasing the potential of multifunctional designs in membrane systems, Professor Jeong encourages exploration of similar applications beyond desalination, particularly for treating contaminated coastal waters and industrial wastewater.

Together, these innovations could play a crucial role in ensuring accessible freshwater universally, underscoring the importance of continued research in this vital area.

As the world navigates the complexities of water scarcity, the work at Pusan National University not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for sustainable water management solutions, bringing hope for a future where clean, potable water is readily available for all.

For more information, the study is detailed as: "Dual-functional asymmetric CuO@NC-based Janus hydrogel membrane for integrated oil–water separation and solar-driven desalination for sustainable use."