Spectrally Selective Daytime Radiative Cooling Coating

S Siyuan Jia (Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China) R Ronghui Wu S Syeda Mishal Zahra (Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China) H Hafiz M. Asfahan (Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China) S Sujin Shao (Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China) M Meng Chen (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) X Xiaofeng Jiang W Wanlin Guo (National Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of the Ministry of Education, Institute for Frontier Science) X Xiuqiang Li (Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Passive daytime radiative cooling offers a carbon‑free route to mitigate urban heat islands and reduce building energy use. Conventional broadband emitters, however, suffer from parasitic absorption of ambient thermal radiation from hot ground and adjacent buildings, severely compromising net cooling in dense urban settings. We present a scalable, spectrally selective radiative cooling coating that overcomes this urban penalty. By combining a phase‑inversion‑derived micro‑nano porous poly (vinyl fluoride) (PVF) layer with a reflective silver substrate, our emitter achieves a record spectral selectivity of 1.37, with 97.5% solar reflectance and 94.4% mid‑infrared emittance strictly confined to the atmospheric window (8_13 µm). In simulated urban canyon tests, the selective emitter stayed 1.9°C cooler than a broadband counterpart, effectively neutralizing heat gain from surrounding infrastructure. The coating also exhibits excellent scalability, adhesion, self‑cleaning ability, and chemical durability. By bridging performance, manufacturability, and resilience, this work offers a viable pathway for adopting radiative cooling in sustainable urban development.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 38
Published July 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (9)

S

Siyuan Jia

Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China

R

Ronghui Wu

S

Syeda Mishal Zahra

Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China

H

Hafiz M. Asfahan

Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China

S

Sujin Shao

Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China

M

Meng Chen

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

X

Xiaofeng Jiang

W

Wanlin Guo

National Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of the Ministry of Education, Institute for Frontier Science

X

Xiuqiang Li

Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Institute for Frontier Science Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China