Passive daytime radiative cooling materials could reduce the energy needed for building cooling up to 60% by reflecting sunlight and emitting long-wave infrared (LWIR) radiation into the cold Universe (~3 kelvin). However, developing passive cooling structures that are both practical to manufacture and apply while also displaying long-term environmental stability is challenging. We developed a randomized photonic composite consisting of a microporous glass framework that features selective LWIR emission along with relatively high solar reflectance and aluminum oxide particles that strongly scatter sunlight and prevent densification of the porous structure during manufacturing. This microporous glass coating enables a temperature drop of ~3.5° and 4°C even under high-humidity conditions (up to 80%) during midday and nighttime, respectively. This radiative “cooling glass” coating maintains high solar reflectance even when exposed to harsh conditions, including water, ultraviolet radiation, soiling, and high temperatures.
Passive radiative cooling materials emit heat through the atmospheric window and into outer space, providing an attractive way to reduce temperatures in buildings. Zhao et al . created a passive cooling glass and Lin et al . developed a passive cooling ceramic, both of which are mechanically strong and relatively easy to scale (see the Perspective by Zhao and Tang). Unlike strategies that rely on polymers, these hard materials should be more robust to long-term weathering, which may make them far more useful for outdoor applications. —Brent Grocholski
Passive radiative cooling ceramics and glasses have attractive weathering properties.