Multifunctional Cooling Textiles with Enhanced Radiative and Moisture Management by One-Step Phase Separation

The development of multifunctional cooling textiles has become crucial in addressing global warming and the increasing need for personal thermal management. Developing textiles with integrated unidirectional moisture transport and radiative cooling functionalities through a simple fabrication method has become a critical challenge in addressing thermal and moisture management under high-temperature conditions. This study presents the development of a radiative cooling and unidirectional moisture-wicking textile (RCUM-Textile) through one-step phase separation method. By employing evaporation-induced phase separation (EIPS) and non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) mechanisms, the RCUM-Textile achieves a trilayer structure comprising a hydrophobic SiO₂/PVDF-HFP upper layer and a hydrophilic cotton lower layer. This innovative structure integrates radiative cooling and efficient sweat evaporation, enabling a solar reflectance of 89.7%, a mid-infrared emissivity of 94.9%, and a cooling effect of 8.7°C under direct sunlight. The SiO₂/PVDF-HFP solution, utilized as a cotton finishing agent, simplifies the functionalization process, ensuring uniform coating and structural stability while reducing processing complexity. Additionally, its enhanced sweat evaporation rate (0.029 g·m^-2·s^-1) and reduced evaporation enthalpy (2084 J/g) significantly improve thermal regulation and wearer comfort. This study provides a cost-effective and practical approach to fabricating high-performance textiles, paving the way for applications in personal cooling devices, wearable electronics, and industrial-scale cooling systems.