Interfacial solar-to-heat conversion mechanisms and design strategies for high-efficiency desalination systems – A review

Solar-to-heat interfacial conversion is one of the most significant processes that facilitates high-efficiency desalination through the localization of the photothermal process on the air–water interface. In this regard, the present study involves a bibliometric and systematic literature review to investigate research advancement, mechanisms, and designs for this developing topic. Findings indicate rapid scientific development in the period between 2017 and 2026, with the annual growth rate in publications reported to be 30.53%, and there is a peak in the year 2025, which shows an increasing interest globally in achieving sustainable water production. Furthermore, the topic possesses high scientific significance, with a 32.19 citation rate per document, and a relatively recent knowledge base, having a 2.39-year average age for the publications. Moreover, co-authorship analysis showed that there is an average of 7.16 co-authors per publication, with only 21.09% of international co-authorship collaboration. Thematic research on the theme includes high-profile work related to photothermal energy conversion, thermal concentration, and salt tolerance, which is enabled by state-of-the-art materials, including aerogels, graphene-based materials, biomaterials, and nanomaterials. Efficiency studies suggest evaporation rates from 1.38 to 6.45 kg m -2 h -1 and efficiencies over 90–99% for optimal devices under one sun illumination (1 kW m⁻²).