Healable Thermoset Elastomeric Materials for Passive Radiative Cooling

Passive radiative cooling (PRC) technology with zero-energy uptake is an efficient thermal management strategy for the development of sustainable society. Fabrication of PRC materials with intrinsic extensibility/dimensional stability and efficient healability that can adapt to irregular shapes with prolonged lifetime remains a significant challenge. The present study introduces a design principle for mechanically robust and healable PRC films based on a cross-linked elastomeric network with combined physical interactions and dynamic covalent bonds, which can be readily modulated by inorganic coating and micro-/nano-porous hierarchical architectures while retaining extensibility and healability. Such thermosetting elastomeric PRC films are scalable with strong solar reflectance and long-wave infrared emittance, realizing excellent cooling performance even after physical damage and healing process. It demonstrates excellent roof cooling ability in summer yet efficient ice-sculpture preservation function in winter. The scalable synthesis of thermoset elastomeric PRC films opens up new pathways to realize flexible, stable and healable PRC materials, highly promising for practical applications.