Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Scalable-Designed Photonic Metamaterial for Color-Regulating Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01975-y
Xiao‑Qing Yu
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
Fucheng Li
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
Jiawei Wang
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
Nianxiang Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
Guo‑Xing Li
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
Yan Song
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
Qing Li
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
Su Chen
State Key Laboratory of Materials‑Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Su Chen

chensu@njtech.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 153

Abstract

Methods allowing passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) to be carried out in an energy-efficient and scalable way are potentially important for various disciplines. Here, we report a sustainable strategy for scalable-designed and color-regulating PDRC coating based on high-crystallinity photonic metamaterial (crystallinity: 71.5%; enhanced assembly efficiency: 72%), that is derived from the as-prepared 55 wt% solid content poly(methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid) P(MMA-BA-MAA) monodispersed latexes (approaching theoretical limit: 59 wt%). Robust meter-scale PDRC coatings are constructed by various industrial modes onto diverse surfaces, addressing bottlenecks like dull appearance, high cost, low efficiency, and hard construction. Notably, the solar reflectance, long-wave infrared emittance, and calculated theoretical cooling power of the designed PDRC coating, respectively, reach ~ 0.94, ~ 0.97, and ~ 95.5 W m−2 under solar radiation, which can achieve an average 5.3 °C sub-ambient daytime temperature drop in the summer in Nanjing. The cooling performance, scale preparation, and cost-effectiveness of the PDRC coating have extended into leading position compared with those of state-of-the-art designs. This work provides promising route to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption for global sustainability.


Highlights:
1 The 55 wt% solid content monodispersed latexes were synthesized under the synergistic action of ionic and nonionic surfactants.
2 The 55 wt% solid content monodispersed latexes open a homogeneous assembly avenue, establishing high-crystallinity photonic metamaterial (crystallinity:71.5%).
3 We developed scalable-designed and color-regulating passive daytime radiative cooling coating based on the high-crystallinity photonic metamaterial, showing high solar reflectance (~ 0.94), high infrared emittance (~ 0.97), large sub-ambient cooling temperature (average 5.3 °C), and great cooling power (~ 95.5 W m−2).

Keywords

Photonic crystal Monodispersed latexes Passive daytime radiative cooling Assembly regulation Sub-ambient cooling
Yu, Xiao‑Qing, Fucheng Li, Jiawei Wang, Nianxiang Zhang, Guo‑Xing Li, Yan Song, Qing Li, and Su Chen. 2026. “Scalable-Designed Photonic Metamaterial for Color-Regulating Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (January):153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01975-y.
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