Absorber Plate Coatings for Enhanced Solar Still Performance: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Stability, and Economic Viability
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 15, No 3 (September 2026) pp. 707-740
Abstract
Solar stills are widely regarded as a suitable technology for decentralized desalination, especially in isolated and water-deficient areas, because of their simple design, low maintenance requirements, and ability to operate without external energy sources. However, their widespread implementation remains constrained by low thermal efficiency, typically ranging from 25 to 40%. Among various performance enhancement strategies, absorber plate surface engineering has emerged as one of the most practical and economical approaches; yet, previous review articles have primarily emphasized geometric modifications, phase change materials, and hybrid solar still systems, while providing only limited discussion of absorber coating technologies, their long-term durability, and techno-economic feasibility. This review critically examines absorber plate surface engineering approaches reported between 2015 and 2025 through a systematic assessment of more than 120 publications retrieved from major scientific databases using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review comparatively analyzes carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxide nanocomposites, selective coatings, porous wick structures, and sustainable waste-derived coatings in terms of their photothermal conversion mechanisms, solar absorptivity, durability, productivity enhancement, scalability, and economic performance. Reported productivity improvements range from 15% to 65%, although direct comparison is challenging because experimental conditions, including solar intensity, basin geometry, water depth, coating preparation methods, and climatic conditions, vary considerably among studies. A durability-adjusted cost-per-liter (CPL) framework evaluates economic feasibility. The analysis indicates that nanomaterial-based coatings generally provide the highest thermal performance but are limited by high cost, adhesion issues, and insufficient long-term durability data, whereas waste-derived coatings such as biochar and waste toner powder offer a more favorable balance between efficiency, cost, and sustainability. Notably, fewer than 15% of published studies report durability testing beyond 60 days, highlighting a significant knowledge gap regarding long-term field performance under saline operating conditions. The review concludes that future research could prioritize standardized testing protocols, extended durability evaluation, scalable manufacturing methods, and environmentally sustainable coating technologies to accelerate the practical deployment of high-performance solar desalination systems.
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Reference
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