A superhydrophobic transparent radiative cooling film exhibits excellent resistance to acid and alkali as well as remarkable robustness

Radiative cooling (RC) technology has been widely applied to reduce energy consumption. Nonetheless, in outdoor conditions, radiative coolers gradually lose their radiative cooling performance owing to the accumulation of dust on their surfaces. Here, we propose a simple method based on the tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate (DCPDA) monomer. A simple method of UV photografting polymerization modification is presented for preparing a superhydrophobic transparent radiative cooling composite film (STRC film). The prepared film exhibits a high transparency with a maximum transmission of 80 % in the visible wavelength range (400-800 nm), and its average mid-infrared (8-13 mu m) emissivity can reach 95 %. The results of the outdoor test show that the temperature of an aluminum plate coated with film decreases by similar to 15.5 degrees C compared to that of a bare aluminum plate when the average irradiance is 782.7 W/m(2), indicating that the film possesses excellent radiative cooling properties. The film also has a good superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle (WCA) of 155.5 degrees, which endows the film with a good self-cleaning function. Moreover, the film still exhibits good superhydrophobicity and radiative cooling properties after 45 days of UV irradiation and 7 days of acid/alkaline immersion, demonstrating the film has good durability.