Faced with the dual challenges of increasing global energy resource scarcity and worsening environmental issues, exploring new pathways for efficient energy utilization and environmental protection has become a shared responsibility and mission for all humanity. Smart photothermal regulation coatings are capable of intelligently and dynamically regulating solar and infrared light characteristics. They can not only precisely control the amplitude, frequency, and phase of light but also effectively adjust heat conduction and radiation processes, enabling precise management of object temperatures. This capability endows smart photothermal regulation coatings with immense application potential in various fields such as thermal insulation, heat collection, and heat dissipation, bringing revolutionary changes to industries including thermal control for aerospace, military camouflage, and building energy efficiency [1-3]
This report will focus on the latest breakthroughs by our team in the field of smart thermal control, particularly innovative research on inorganic electrochromic, organic electrochromic, and thermochromic coatings. In the area of inorganic electrochromic coatings, we have emphasized the study of spectral regulation properties of materials like WO₃ and achieved dynamic regulation of spectral transmittance, reflection, and absorption through micro-nano structural design, meeting the needs of different application scenarios. In the area of organic electrochromic coatings, we have optimized the performance and stability of materials through molecular design and synthesis, opening up broader spaces for the application of smart coatings. In the area of thermochromic coatings, through micro-nano structural design, decoupling of multi-band spectral responses, and the design of biomimetic metasurface coatings, we have not only achieved smart spectral responses in a single band but also successfully overcome wavelength dependence, promoting the development of multi-band smart regulation technologies. Finally, keeping abreast of technological advancements, our team has introduced advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning into the research on smart photothermal regulation coatings. Through big data analysis and algorithm optimization, we have achieved a fundamental change in the paradigm of coating design, shifting from traditional forward calculation of light and heat performance to reverse design of coating structures oriented by target optical performance. This not only greatly enhances design efficiency and accuracy but also breaks through the performance limits of traditional design methods, laying a solid scientific and technological foundation and innovative momentum for the green, efficient, sustainable development, and application promotion of smart photothermal regulation coatings.

References

1. K. Lin, S. Chen, Y. Zeng, et al. Hierarchically Structured Passive Radiative Cooling Ceramic with High Solar Reflectivity. Science 2023, 382 (6671), 691-697.
2. Z. Shao, A. Huang, C. Cao, et al. Tri-Band Electrochromic Smart Window for Energy Savings in Buildings. Nature Sustainability 2024, 7 (6), 796-803.
3. Tang K, Dong K, Li J, et al. Temperature-Adaptive Radiative Coating for All-Season Household Thermal Regulation. Science 2021, 374 (6574), 1504-1509.

Smart photothermal regulation coatings;electrochromism;thermochromism;micro-nano structural design;machine learning