The highly reflective solar radiation of passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) increases heating energy consumption in the cold winter. Inspired by the temperature-adaptive skin color of chameleon, we efficiently combine temperature-adaptive solar absorption and PDRC technology to achieve “warm in winter and cool in summer”. The temperature-adaptive radiative cooling coating (TARCC) with color variability is designed and fabricated, achieving 41% visible light regulation capability. Comprehensive seasonal outdoor tests confirm the reliability of the TARCC: in summer, the TARCC exhibits high solar reflectance (∼93%) and atmospheric transmission window emittance (∼94%), resulting in a 6.5 K sub ambient temperature. In the winter, the TARCC’s dark color strongly absorbs solar radiation, resulting in a 4.3 K temperature rise. Compared with PDRC coatings, the TARCC can save up to 20% of annual energy in midlatitude regions and increase suitable human hours by 55%. With its low cost, easy preparation, and simple construction, the TARCC shows promise for achieving sustainable and comfortable indoor environments.

Han Han (School of New Energy, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai), Huaxu Liang (School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology), Xiang Li (China Construction Eco-Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.), Yanan Zou (China Construction Eco-Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.), Chun Yang (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University), Zenghui Xu (China Construction Eco-Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.), Yuying Yan (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham), Ziming Cheng (School of New Energy, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai)

“Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer”: Scalable Biochameleon Inspired Temperature-Adaptive Coating with Easy Preparation and Construction, Yan Dong, Weifeng Meng, Fuqiang Wang, Han Han, Huaxu Liang, Xiang Li, Yanan Zou, Chun Yang, Zenghui Xu, Yuying Yan, and Ziming Cheng, Nano Letters 2023 23 (19), 9034-9041, DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02733