Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Ultra-Efficient Saline Soil Remediation with Passive Multistage Solar Distiller via Water Recycling

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02207-7
Junhui Li
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Jiebin Tang
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Guangchun Yang
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Dengchao Liang
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Yi Wang
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Wenwen Zhao
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Xin Xia
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Weijia Zhou
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Yafang Zhang
School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Dongjin Xin
Shandong Key Laboratory of Ubiquitous Intelligent Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China
Guobin Xue
Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Guobin Xue

ifc_xuegb@ujn.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 360

Abstract

The remediation of saline land is of great strategic significance for ensuring food security and promoting ecological restoration. Interfacial solar evaporator shows considerable potential in soil remediation but still faces challenges, such as low solar-steam efficiency and high freshwater consumption. Herein, we report for the first time a passive multistage solar distiller for ultra-efficient saline soil desalination that integrates the latent heat recovery, water recycling and edge salt rejection. Under one-sun irradiation (1 kW m−2), the 7-stage solar distiller achieves a water yield of 3.0 kg m−2 h−1 with a solar-steam efficiency of 200% in saline soil. After 12 days of treatment, the salinity in 30 cm-thick saline soil had decreased from 22.5 to 2.33 g kg−1, with a water consumption (water-to-soil ratio) of 40.1 kg m−2. Furthermore, the large-scale saline soil desalination using the multistage solar distiller works efficiently outdoors, indicating that such technology can promote the green remediation of global saline land and the sustainable development of agriculture.


Highlights:
1 The passive multistage solar distiller can ultra-efficiently desalinate saline soil.
2 The strategy features latent heat recovery, water recycling, and edge salt rejection.
3 We desalinated 30 cm-thick saline soil from 22.5 to 2.33 g kg-1 within 12 days, with a water consumption (water-to-soil ratio) of 40.1 kg m-2.

Keywords

Saline soil remediation Passive multistage solar distiller Latent heat recovery Water recycling Edge salt rejection
Li, Junhui, Jiebin Tang, Guangchun Yang, Dengchao Liang, Yi Wang, Wenwen Zhao, Xin Xia, Weijia Zhou, Yafang Zhang, Dongjin Xin, and Guobin Xue. 2026. “Ultra-Efficient Saline Soil Remediation With Passive Multistage Solar Distiller via Water Recycling”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (May):360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02207-7.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. K. Ivushkin, H. Bartholomeus, A.K. Bregt, A. Pulatov, B. Kempen et al., Global mapping of soil salinity change. Remote Sens. Environ. 231, 111260 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2019.111260
  2. B. Liang, J. Wei, Y. Gao, Z. Ma, X. Xue, A review of classification, causes, and amelioration of global salt-affected soil based on the meta-analysis. Land Degrad. Dev. 36(16), 5485–5504 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.5619
  3. A. Singh, Soil salinity: a global threat to sustainable development. Soil Use Manag. 38(1), 39–67 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12772
  4. J. Zhang, X. Ge, X. Hou, L. Han, Z. Zhang et al., Strategies for soil salinity mapping using remote sensing and machine learning in the Yellow River Delta. Remote Sens. 17(15), 2619 (2025). https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17152619
  5. Z. Gul, Z.-H. Tang, M. Arif, Z. Ye, An insight into abiotic stress and influx tolerance mechanisms in plants to cope in saline environments. Biology 11(4), 597 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040597
  6. H.T.K. Hong, P.T.H. Trang, T.-T. Ho, J. Dang, R. Sato et al., Reproductive growth characteristics of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. in high-salinity stress conditions. Sci. Hortic. 331, 113172 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113172
  7. P. Mao, Y. Zhang, B. Cao, L. Guo, H. Shao et al., Effects of salt stress on eco-physiological characteristics in Robinia pseudoacacia based on salt-soil rhizosphere. Sci. Total. Environ. 568, 118–123 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.012
  8. N.O. Oduor, A.S. Elrys, M.A. Alnaimy, T. Opande, D. Feng et al., From disruption to restoration: global impacts of soil salinity and its mitigation strategies on ecosystem nitrogen cycling. Glob. Change Biol. 31(9), e70487 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70487
  9. R. Ahmed, M. Zia-ur-Rehman, M. Sabir, M. Usman, M. Rizwan et al., Differential response of nano zinc sulphate with other conventional sources of Zn in mitigating salinity stress in rice grown on saline-sodic soil. Chemosphere 327, 138479 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138479
  10. L. Chen, G. Zhou, B. Feng, C. Wang, Y. Luo et al., Saline-alkali land reclamation boosts topsoil carbon storage by preferentially accumulating plant-derived carbon. Sci. Bull. 69(18), 2948–2958 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2024.03.063
  11. N.K. Arora, T. Fatima, J. Mishra, I. Mishra, S. Verma et al., Halo-tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for improving productivity and remediation of saline soils. J. Adv. Res. 26, 69–82 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2020.07.003
  12. K.C. Ravindran, K. Venkatesan, V. Balakrishnan, K.P. Chellappan, T. Balasubramanian, Restoration of saline land by halophytes for Indian soils. Soil Biol. Biochem. 39(10), 2661–2664 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.02.005
  13. J. Wang, Y. Liu, Y. Ma, X. Wang, B. Zhang et al., Research progress regarding the role of halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms in the eco-environmental sustainability and conservation. J. Clean. Prod. 418, 138054 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138054
  14. H. Yan, L. Hao, H. Chen, X. Zhou, H. Ji et al., Salicylic acid functionalized zein for improving plant stress resistance and as a nanopesticide carrier with enhanced anti-photolysis ability. J. Nanobiotechnol. 21(1), 23 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-023-01777-7
  15. G. Zhang, J. Bai, Y. Zhai, J. Jia, Q. Zhao et al., Microbial diversity and functions in saline soils: a review from a biogeochemical perspective. J. Adv. Res. 59, 129–140 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2023.06.015
  16. Y. Chen, J. Zhang, Z. Wang, H. Li, R. Chen et al., Influence of long-term mulched drip irrigation on upward capillary water movement characteristics in the saline–sodic region of northwest China. Agronomy 14(6), 1300 (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061300
  17. L. Zhao, T. Heng, L. Yang, X. Xu, Y. Feng, Study on the farmland improvement effect of drainage measures under film mulch with drip irrigation in saline–alkali land in arid areas. Sustainability 13(8), 4159 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084159
  18. W. Zhu, Y. Kang, X. Li, S. Wan, S. Dong, Changes in understory vegetation during the reclamation of saline-alkali soil by drip irrigation for shelterbelt establishment in the Hetao Irrigation Area of China. CATENA 214, 106247 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2022.106247
  19. Y. Du, X. Liu, L. Zhang, W. Zhou, Drip irrigation in agricultural saline-alkali land controls soil salinity and improves crop yield: evidence from a global meta-analysis. Sci. Total. Environ. 880, 163226 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163226
  20. X. Liu, F. Yan, L. Wu, F. Zhang, F. Yin et al., Leaching amount and timing modified the ionic composition of saline-alkaline soil and increased seed cotton yield under mulched drip irrigation. Field Crops Res. 299, 108988 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2023.108988
  21. Y. Wang, M. Gao, H. Chen, X. Fu, L. Wang et al., Soil moisture and salinity dynamics of drip irrigation in saline-alkali soil of Yellow River Basin. Front. Environ. Sci. 11, 1130455 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1130455
  22. Y. Wang, Y. Xiao, J. Puig-Bargués, B. Zhou, Z. Liu et al., Assessment of water quality ions in brackish water on drip irrigation system performance applied in saline areas. Agric. Water Manag. 289, 108544 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108544
  23. P. Wu, X. Wu, Y. Wang, J. Zhao, H. Xu et al., Boosting extraction of Pb in contaminated soil via interfacial solar evaporation of multifunctional sponge. Green Energy Environ. 8(5), 1459–1468 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gee.2022.03.002
  24. P. Wu, X. Wu, Y. Wang, H. Xu, G. Owens, A biomimetic interfacial solar evaporator for heavy metal soil remediation. Chem. Eng. J. 435, 134793 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.134793
  25. K.L. Platt, D.M. Di Toro, R.F. Carbonaro, N.A. Bugher, T.F. Parkerton et al., Ferrocyanide enhanced evaporative flux to remediate soils contaminated with produced water brine. J. Hazard. Mater. 442, 130028 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130028
  26. Y. Xu, C. Dang, X.E. Cao, Y. Cao, J. Huang et al., Artificial phytoremediation solar interface evaporator for efficient heavy metal salt separation and saline soil remediation. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 12(4), 113114 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.113114
  27. Y. Li, P. Wu, N. Luo, K. Liu, X. Yang et al., Flexible sorbent-filled solar evaporator drives Pb contaminated soil remediation. Appl. Therm. Eng. 266, 125656 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.125656
  28. M. Qiao, J. Li, S. Gao, T. Zhou, R. Jiao et al., Ultralight aerogels with aligned channels for efficient solar driven interfacial evaporation of brackish water and remediation of saline soils. J. Water Process. Eng. 69, 106717 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106717
  29. Z. Zhang, Y. Chen, H. Chen, Y. Wang, D. Wu et al., Novel efficient capture of Cr(VI) from soil driven by capillarity and evaporation coupling. Chemosphere 288, 132593 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132593
  30. X. Liu, Z. Wang, H. Liang, Y. Li, T. Liu et al., Solar-driven soil remediation along with the generation of water vapor and electricity. Nanomaterials 12(11), 1800 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12111800
  31. M. Yu, S. Du, B. Zhu, L. Zhu, J. Yang, All-natural photothermal hydrogel for efficient desalination and heavy metal enrichment. Langmuir 41(8), 5664–5675 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c00154
  32. P. Tao, G. Ni, C. Song, W. Shang, J. Wu et al., Solar-driven interfacial evaporation. Nat. Energy 3(12), 1031–1041 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-018-0260-7
  33. H. Yao, P. Zhang, C. Yang, Q. Liao, X. Hao et al., Janus-interface engineering boosting solar steam towards high-efficiency water collection. Energy Environ. Sci. 14(10), 5330–5338 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ee01381e
  34. L. Tian, L. Han, F. Wang, H. Shen, Q. Li et al., Dynamic water microskin induced by photothermally responsive interpenetrating hydrogel networks for high-performance light-tracking water evaporation. Adv. Energy Mater. 15(10), 2404117 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202404117
  35. W. Li, T. Li, B. Deng, T. Xu, G. Wang et al., Fabrication of a facile self-floating lignin-based carbon Janus evaporators for efficient and stable solar desalination. Adv. Compos. Hybrid Mater. 7(2), 52 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-024-00849-y
  36. L. Ren, W. Zhou, L. Wang, K. Lin, Y. Xu et al., All-in-one self-floating porous foams as robust heat-blocking layers for efficient photothermal conversion and solar desalination. Sci. Bull. 68(22), 2760–2768 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2023.08.062
  37. Y. Wang, X. Wu, B. Shao, X. Yang, G. Owens et al., Boosting solar steam generation by structure enhanced energy management. Sci. Bull. 65(16), 1380–1388 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2020.04.036
  38. P. Wu, D. Zhou, Y. Li, X. Yang, Y. Shi et al., A bioinspired photothermal evaporator for enhanced salt separation during saline soil remediation. Desalination 602, 118647 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2025.118647
  39. Z. Liu, J. Li, Y. Liu, Q. Sun, D. Liang et al., Halophyte inspired solar-driven salt extractor for saline soil remediating. Chem. Eng. J. 514, 162748 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.162748
  40. R.A. Ordóñez, M.J. Castellano, J.L. Hatfield, M.A. Licht, E.E. Wright et al., A solution for sampling position errors in maize and soybean root mass and length estimates. Eur. J. Agron. 96, 156–162 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2018.04.002
  41. S. Teramoto, Y. Uga, A deep learning-based phenotypic analysis of rice root distribution from field images. Plant Phenomics 2020, 3194308 (2020). https://doi.org/10.34133/2020/3194308
  42. J. Zhou, Z. Zhang, Y. Xin, G. Chen, Q. Wu et al., Effects of planting density on root spatial and temporal distribution and yield of winter wheat. Agronomy 12(12), 3014 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123014
  43. L. Zhang, Z. Xu, B. Bhatia, B. Li, L. Zhao et al., Modeling and performance analysis of high-efficiency thermally-localized multistage solar stills. Appl. Energy 266, 114864 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114864
  44. Z. Xu, L. Zhang, L. Zhao, B. Li, B. Bhatia et al., Ultrahigh-efficiency desalination via a thermally-localized multistage solar still. Energy Environ. Sci. 13(3), 830–839 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ee04122b
  45. Y. Shao, A. Shen, N. Li, L. Yang, J. Tang et al., Marangoni effect drives salt crystallization away from the distillation zone for large-scale continuous solar passive desalination. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 14(26), 30324–30331 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c04572
  46. P. Poredoš, J. Gao, H. Shan, J. Yu, Z. Shao et al., Ultra-high freshwater production in multistage solar membrane distillation via waste heat injection to condenser. Nat. Commun. 15(1), 7890 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51880-y
  47. S. Liu, S. Li, Q. Yang, M. Lin, Scale-up of solar interfacial evaporation devices: advanced optical, thermal, and water management for efficient seawater desalination. Energy Environ. Sci. 18(21), 9446–9456 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EE01958C
  48. E. Chiavazzo, M. Morciano, F. Viglino, M. Fasano, P. Asinari, Passive solar high-yield seawater desalination by modular and low-cost distillation. Nat. Sustain. 1(12), 763–772 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-018-0186-x
  49. L. Yang, T. Sun, J. Tang, Y. Shao, N. Li et al., Photovoltaic-multistage desalination of hypersaline waters for simultaneous electricity, water and salt harvesting via automatic rinsing. Nano Energy 87, 106163 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106163
  50. A. Shen, J. Tang, Y. Shao, J. Chen, Y. Liu et al., Architecting the water state of polypyrrole/polyvinyl alochol-wood evaporator to enhance water yield in multistage solar stiller. Solar RRL 7(5), 2200915 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202200915
Read More
Author biographies are not available.
Download this PDF file
PDF SUPPLEMENTARY FILE

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2