Thermochromic hydrogels for synergistic mechano-optical properties and global energy saving potential.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41253809.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-65071-w and PMC identifier 12627514.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC-ND.
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Abstract
As building energy consumption and carbon emissions continue to rise, minimizing energy loss through windows-major heat exchange pathways-has become an urgent challenge. To reduce building energy consumption by improving windows' thermal insulation and light modulation, this study develops a thermoresponsive hydrogel named PDH, based on a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) backbone, for use as a window coating. The hydrogel exhibits considerable visible light transmittance (97.92%) and high solar modulation ability (81.70%), along with favorable mechanical properties, which enable its stable and direct application onto single-pane glass surface, thereby simplifying the conventional glass-hydrogel-glass structure in smart windows. In practical building applications, PDH hydrogel shows significant thermal regulation, with an average daytime indoor temperature reduction of 6.95 °C and energy savings of 384.04 kJ m<sup>-2</sup>. Furthermore, a global energy-saving and carbon-reduction model is developed using climate data to support the assessments and applications of PDH hydrogels across various climate regions.