High Performance Transmission-Type Daytime Radiative Cooling Film with a Simple and Scalable Method.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Radiative cooling textiles are crucial for personal thermal management.
• Traditional methods for creating these textiles are costly and environmentally impactful.
• Existing methods face limitations in optical performance and scalability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, cost-effective, and scalable method for producing transmission-type radiative cooling films.
• To improve the optical performance and reduce the environmental footprint of radiative cooling textiles.
• To demonstrate the passive cooling capabilities of the developed films for personal and industrial applications.

Main Methods:

• A new preparation technique involves blending mid-infrared transparent solid styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) with solid polyethylene (PE).
• Pores are created by dissolving SEBS, enabling large-scale, meter-scale production of radiative cooling films.
• The optical properties (solar reflectivity, mid-IR transmittance) and cooling performance were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Achieved meter-scale production of transmission-type radiative cooling films.
• Films exhibit 95% solar reflectivity and 80% mid-IR transmittance.
• Demonstrated sub-ambient cooling effects of approximately 4°C and 3°C under sunny and cloudy conditions, respectively.
• Reduced production costs by 68% and CO2 emissions by 92%.

Conclusions:

• The novel SEBS/PE blending method offers a scalable and sustainable approach for manufacturing high-performance radiative cooling films.
• The developed films provide significant passive cooling, showing great potential for industrial and personal thermal management.
• This method addresses the limitations of traditional techniques, paving the way for wider adoption of radiative cooling technology.