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A dual-selective thermal emitter with enhanced subambient radiative cooling performance

Author

Listed:
  • Xueke Wu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jinlei Li

    (Nanjing University)

  • Fei Xie

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xun-En Wu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Siming Zhao

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Qinyuan Jiang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Shiliang Zhang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Baoshun Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yunrui Li

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Di Gao

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Run Li

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Fei Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Ya Huang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yanlong Zhao

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yingying Zhang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Wei Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jia Zhu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Rufan Zhang

    (Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Radiative cooling is a zero-energy technology that enables subambient cooling by emitting heat into outer space (~3 K) through the atmospheric transparent windows. However, existing designs typically focus only on the main atmospheric transparent window (8–13 μm) and ignore another window (16–25 μm), under-exploiting their cooling potential. Here, we show a dual-selective radiative cooling design based on a scalable thermal emitter, which exhibits selective emission in both atmospheric transparent windows and reflection in the remaining mid-infrared and solar wavebands. As a result, the dual-selective thermal emitter exhibits an ultrahigh subambient cooling capacity (~9 °C) under strong sunlight, surpassing existing typical thermal emitters (≥3 °C cooler) and commercial counterparts (as building materials). Furthermore, the dual-selective sample also exhibits high weather resistance and color compatibility, indicating a high practicality. This work provides a scalable and practical radiative cooling design for sustainable thermal management.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45095-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45095-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yuan, Jinchao & Yin, Hongle & Yuan, Dan & Yang, Yongjian & Xu, Shaoyu, 2022. "On daytime radiative cooling using spectrally selective metamaterial based building envelopes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Dan, Ya & Hu, Mingke & Wang, Qiliang & Su, Yuehong & Riffat, Saffa, 2025. "Enhancing radiative sky cooling performance by employing crossed compound parabolic concentrating configurations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    2. Peng Zhou & Guangyang Jiang & Yuyan Wang & Yongqiang Tian & Xinxing Zhang, 2025. "Self-adaptive and large-area sprayable thermal management coatings for energy saving," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Yu, Tao & Liu, Rumin & Yang, Zixiang & Yang, Shikuan & Ye, Zhizhen & Lu, Jianguo, 2025. "Color Design for Daytime Radiative Cooling: Fundamentals and Approaches," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PA).
    4. Zipeng Chen & Qian Zhang & Liping Ding & Guangxin Lv & Tianji Liu & Zhengwei Yang & Yi Jiang & Longnan Li & Wei Li & Feng Ding & Weilin Xu & Jia Zhu & Bin Zhu, 2025. "An infrared-transparent textile with high drawing processed Nylon 6 nanofibers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.

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