Transpiration-Inspired Radiative Cooling Metafabric for Efficient Personal Thermal and Moisture Management.

Abstract

Advanced radiative cooling textiles represent a promising avenue for improving human thermal comfort in the face of global warming. However, their limited sweat evaporation capacity and low thermal conductivity significantly reduce the cooling efficiency, particularly in hot outdoor climates. Herein, a novel transpiration-inspired metafabric that integrates precise solar spectrum regulation, a high heat conduction pathway, and splendid moisture-wicking capacity was presented through multi-scale electrospun structural design. The gradient micro-nano porous metafabric can broadly scatter the solar spectrum while establishing a gradual refractive index transition to enhance mid-infrared absorption. The solar reflectivity and infrared emissivity of the metafabric reached 99.7% and 93.3%, respectively, inducing a cooling effect of 10.2°C and net cooling power (P_net) of 110.1 W/m². Meanwhile, the metafabric with a gradual wettability gradient and capillary force gradient exhibited a high one-way transport index (R) of 1330.7% and a reverse breakthrough pressure of 15.0 cm H₂O, effectively preventing liquid pinning and back penetration. What's more, the coupled strategy of thermal radiation, conduction, and evaporation resulted in a temperature drop of 20.2°C in the sweaty state. The metafabric also demonstrated superb mechanical robustness, breathability, and washability. The work may offer a scalable and energy-efficient strategy for advanced thermal and moisture management textiles.