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Interfacial solar steam generation is considered as economical and more effective implementation of Solar steam generation (SSG) where solar energy is concentrated at the liquid surface via the utilization of heat localization materials (HLM). Herein we report the fabrication of an HLM constituted of a nanocomposite absorber of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and covellite copper sulfide (CuS) supported on a mixed cellulose ester membrane, with a substrate of air laid paper-wrapped polystyrene foam. This structure allowed for strong broad-spectrum absorbance, increased hydrophilic character and minimal thermal losses. The HLM system absorbed 98% of the material and had an evaporation rate of 2.58 kgs per square meter per hour. This is twice the evaporation rate of water tested under the same conditions. Moreover, as fabricated HLM was also incorporated in a solar still in order to assess its practical performance in solar distillation. Initial studies proved that HLM modified solar still was more effective than conventional solar stills.

Green-synthesized mesoporous-structures have widespread attention due to its environmentally-benign nature and numerous applications. Herein, we report the green synthesis of mesoporous iron oxide network using green tea extract. The morphological and phase analyses were evaluated and elucidated the formation of mesoporous-structure showing predominantly hematite-phase. Catalytic role of α-Fe2O3 was investigated in Fenton reaction for the removal of methylene blue dye to understand its significance in wastewater treatment. Keywords: Green-synthesis, Mesoporous, α-Fe2O3, Photocatalysis