Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Bio-derived radiative coolers offer a sustainable alternative to petrochemical materials but struggle with long-term stability. Here, we report a bioplastic cooling metafilm with a bi-continuous architecture engineered through crystallization modulation. The metafilm achieves high solar reflectance (98.7%), exceptional thermal emittance (96.6%), and ultra-low thermal conductivity (0.049 W m −1 K −1 ). It provides a maximum sub-ambient cooling of ∼9.2°C at midday, with an average cooling power of 136 W m −2 under peak solar intensity (944.9 W m −2 ). Notably, it sustains a stable cooling of 5°C–6.5°C even when subjected to severe conditions like prolonged acid (pH 1, 120 h) and ultraviolet (UV; ∼8 months) exposure. This work offers a new strategy for designing sustainable, durable, and energy-efficient cooling materials through structural innovation.
Source: Cell Reports Physical Science
Authors: Yangzhe Hou, Yamin Pan, Xianhu Liu, Jun Ma, Chuntai Liu, Changyu Shen
Institutions: University of South Australia, Zhengzhou University
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,620
Awards: G2401033105, G252451143
OpenAlex ID: W4411581360