Solution-Processed Metallic Nanowire Network for Wearable Transparent Thermal Radiation Shield

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Residential and commercial heating significantly increases energy consumption and environmental impact.
• Personal radiative thermal management textiles offer a solution by controlling optical properties to regulate body temperature.
• Passive heating textiles can reduce radiative heat loss, decreasing the need for building heating.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate a transparent radiation shield (TRS) textile for personal thermal management.
• To achieve high infrared reflectance (low emissivity) and visible light transmittance simultaneously.
• To provide a theoretical framework for understanding and optimizing such textiles.

Main Methods:

• Optical theoretical approach guiding the design of a silver nanowire (AgNW)-based TRS.
• Experimental fabrication of the TRS using a solution-processing method with thermoplastic elastomer protective layers.
• Validation of experimental results using Mie scattering theory and the wire-mesh equivalent sheet impedance model.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a TRS with 75% visible light transmittance (400-800 nm) and high infrared reflectance (35% emissivity).
• The fabricated textile exhibited mechanical robustness, stretching capabilities, and conformability.
• Theoretical models corroborated experimental findings, offering insights into performance optimization.

Conclusions:

• A scalable method for synthesizing visibly transparent, low-emissivity textiles for personal thermal comfort was developed.
• The theoretical strategy provides a foundation for creating advanced radiative thermal management materials.
• This technology has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption in buildings.