Coatings, Vol. 16, Pages 27: A Perspective on Radiative Cooling Paints: Bridging the Gap Between Optical Optimization and Practical Application

Coatings doi: 10.3390/coatings16010027

Authors:
Zhuojing Zhao
Zhenyu Guo
Ya Huang
Siming Zhao
Yonglu Zang
Fan Lan
Ruina Liu
Linan Feng
Shuang Tao
Qixuan Cai
Mengxin Lei
Rufan Zhang

The escalating global heatwave crisis demands urgent advancements in high-efficiency, energy-saving cooling technologies. Radiative cooling (RC) paints, capable of passively dissipating heat through the atmospheric transparent window (ATW, 8–13 μm) without external energy input, have emerged as a groundbreaking solution for sustainable thermal management. This perspective advocates for a paradigm shift in the field from solely focusing on optical performance optimization to comprehensive system design that simultaneously achieves high cooling power, industrial-scale manufacturability, long-term environmental durability, and customizable aesthetics. We systematically analyzed the fundamental design principles of RC paints, reviewed the construction strategy of the state-of-the-art RC paints, advanced multi-band spectral engineering, synergistic integration with complementary cooling technologies, and robust structural configurations for large-scale deployment. Addressing critical challenges for commercialization, we also proposed targeted solutions, including enhanced application-specific durability, cost-effective production scaling, and multifunctional system integration. This work provides a strategic roadmap to accelerate the transition of RC paints from laboratory prototypes to ubiquitous real-world applications, ultimately contributing to a sustainable future with improved thermal comfort.

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Zhuojing Zhao www.mdpi.com