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Review: wood composites as sustainable energy conversion materials for efficient solar energy harvesting and light management

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Abstract

Harnessing and effectively utilizing abundant and sustainable solar energy is regarded as a promising solution to the global energy crisis. Forests, being nature’s largest light energy capturing units, bestow oxygen and shelter upon all living beings, making them an invaluable gift to humanity. Apart from serving as natural air ionizers, load-bearing structures, and traditional building materials, wood and its derivatives can also be employed in cutting-edge sustainable applications. Their manifold advantages encompass a naturally porous and hierarchical structure for efficient water and nutrient transport, low thermal conductivity, mechanical stability, as well as versatile chemistry achieved through structural engineering and chemical or thermal modifications. This review provides an overview of the synergistic optical and thermal applications of wood for seawater desalination, wastewater treatment, and light management in energy-efficient buildings. The emphasis lies on elucidating the structure and application properties of wood with respect to establishing a symbiotic relationship between solar energy and wood towards sustainability.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22372081), and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20231297).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Science, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, People’s Republic of China

    Xiang Wang, Xueling Xu, Deqi Fan, Guangyao Zhang & Yi Lu

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  1. Xiang Wang
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  2. Xueling Xu
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  3. Deqi Fan
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  4. Guangyao Zhang
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  5. Yi Lu
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XW performed writing-original draft. XX, DF, and GZ did literatures analysis and manuscript revision. YL contributed to writing-review and editing and funding acquisition.

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Correspondence to Yi Lu.

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Wang, X., Xu, X., Fan, D. et al. Review: wood composites as sustainable energy conversion materials for efficient solar energy harvesting and light management. J Mater Sci 59, 4383–4403 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09443-5

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