Enhancing Solar Distillation Efficiency with Nanofluids: A Comprehensive Review

Solar distillation offers an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for producing freshwater from seawater or contaminated sources, particularly in arid regions where water scarcity is a pressing issue. However, the efficiency of traditional solar distillation systems is often limited by low heat transfer rates, resulting in suboptimal performance. In recent years, the introduction of nanofluids—suspensions of nanoparticles within base fluids—has emerged as a promising avenue to overcome these limitations. Nanofluids exhibit superior thermal properties, such as enhanced thermal conductivity and convective heat transfer coefficients, which have been shown to significantly improve the productivity of solar distillation systems. This comprehensive review examines the principles of solar distillation, the challenges inherent in conventional systems, and the transformative role of nanofluids in addressing these inefficiencies. Key mechanisms responsible for the improved heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids are discussed, along with the impact of factors such as nanoparticle material, size, shape, and concentration. The review critically analyzes recent experimental and theoretical studies, highlighting significant advancements in system performance, including increased freshwater yield and reduced thermal resistance. Additionally, it identifies gaps in the current body of knowledge, emphasizing the need for further research into optimizing nanofluid formulations, scaling up experimental findings, and exploring long-term environmental and economic impacts. By bridging these knowledge gaps, nanofluid-enhanced solar distillation systems could play a pivotal role in addressing global water scarcity challenges while promoting sustainable development.