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A high-performance dynamic thermal regulator based on the phase-switchable In3SbTe2

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  • Zhang, Kaihua
  • Xie, Longtian
  • Chen, Zhiying
  • Chen, Hao
  • Wang, Cunhai

Abstract

Dynamic thermal regulation is a technology that leverages tunable regulators to achieve thermal management, exhibiting great potential to mitigate global energy issues. The regulators can achieve optical property transitions in response to external stimuli, such as temperature or mechanical regulation, thereby enabling passive or active thermal regulation and management. However, achieving flexible and quick dynamic thermal regulation in humid and hot environmental conditions is still challenging. Here, we propose a dynamic thermal regulator (DTR) based on the phase transition of In3SbTe2 (IST) which can achieve flexible and fast active regulation by voltage application for adaptive radiative heat management. Benefiting from the phase switch of the IST layer, the proposed DTR achieves a tunable thermal emittance within the atmospheric transparency window, ranging from 0.16 to 0.8. Thermal analysis reveals that the DTR maintains an average surface temperature of 8.11 K below ambient in hot conditions. This cooling effect is suppressed in cold conditions to insulate the heat. As a result, the proposed DTR can save more than 18 kWh·m−2·year−1·in the world's major cities. This high-performance DTR design sets the stage for more long-lasting building energy systems and offers prospective solutions for energy savings across various climates.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Kaihua & Xie, Longtian & Chen, Zhiying & Chen, Hao & Wang, Cunhai, 2025. "A high-performance dynamic thermal regulator based on the phase-switchable In3SbTe2," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:325:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225018699
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136227
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tong Wang & Yi Wu & Lan Shi & Xinhua Hu & Min Chen & Limin Wu, 2021. "A structural polymer for highly efficient all-day passive radiative cooling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Xueke Wu & Jinlei Li & Fei Xie & Xun-En Wu & Siming Zhao & Qinyuan Jiang & Shiliang Zhang & Baoshun Wang & Yunrui Li & Di Gao & Run Li & Fei Wang & Ya Huang & Yanlong Zhao & Yingying Zhang & Wei Li & , 2024. "A dual-selective thermal emitter with enhanced subambient radiative cooling performance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Huang, Jiachen & Zhang, Xuan-kai & Yu, Xiyu & Tang, G.H. & Wang, Xinyu & Du, Mu, 2024. "Scalable self-adaptive radiative cooling film through VO2-based switchable core–shell particles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
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