Photoluminescent Core-Shell Structural Porous Fibers-Based Metafabric for Colored Daytime Passive Radiative Cooling

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Passive radiative cooling offers a sustainable solution for thermal management in hot environments.
• Current daytime radiative cooling textiles lack aesthetic appeal due to their white or mirror-like appearance.
• Integrating visual aesthetics with effective radiative cooling is crucial for widespread adoption in outdoor applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop colored photoluminescent radiative cooling (CPRC) metafabrics.
• To achieve effective radiative cooling without compromising color aesthetics for outdoor applications.
• To explore the potential of carbon-dot-based metafabrics for wearable energy-saving textiles.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of coaxial porous fibers with nanostructured light-scattering shells and enhanced mid-infrared emission cores.
• Utilizing the photoluminescent properties of carbon dots for selective visible light adsorption and photon re-emission.
• Characterization of sunlight reflection, infrared thermal radiation, and cooling performance of the CPRC metafabrics.

Main Results:

• CPRC metafabrics demonstrate selective visible light adsorption, displaying vivid colors with high light-to-photon conversion efficiency (48.3%).
• Achieved a maximum net cooling power of 69.2 W m^-2, with average cooling temperatures 3.7-3.6 °C lower than commercial fabrics.
• The metafabrics exhibit self-sensing health monitoring capabilities and long-time durability.

Conclusions:

• CPRC metafabrics successfully integrate color aesthetics with effective daytime radiative cooling.
• This technology addresses a significant challenge in developing visually appealing and functional cooling textiles.
• The developed metafabrics show promise for next-generation wearable energy-saving solutions, enhancing safety and thermal comfort for outdoor workers.