Tailoring High-Entropy Oxides as Emerging Radiative Materials for Daytime Passive Cooling

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• High-entropy materials are extensively researched for energy applications.
• Radiative cooling offers a passive method for thermal management.
• Developing cost-effective and efficient materials for radiative cooling is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of selected oxides and their alloys for daytime radiative cooling.
• To identify candidate materials with strong radiative properties suitable for passive cooling applications.
• To assess the affordability and compatibility of these materials with commercial fabrication processes.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing density functional theory (DFT) for an unbiased description of material properties.
• Employing the finite difference method for scattering-free analysis.
• Evaluating structural, electronic, and dynamic features of candidate materials.

Main Results:

• Identified specific oxide and alloy compositions with strong radiative properties.
• Demonstrated the potential for these materials to achieve significant passive cooling.
• Confirmed the affordability and compatibility of candidate materials for coating fabrication.

Conclusions:

• Selected high-entropy oxides and their alloys are promising for daytime radiative cooling.
• Computational methods provide accurate insights into material performance for cooling applications.
• These materials offer a viable path towards cost-effective and scalable passive cooling solutions.