Silanized titania nanoparticles-embedded SBS copolymer for enhanced radiative cooling applications

Passive radiative cooling (RC) is a sustainable approach to reduce heat without energy consumption by emitting thermal radiation through the 8 to 13μm atmospheric window. We report flexible nanocomposite films composed of a styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) copolymer embedding titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) surface-functionalized with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS). Films with 1, 5, and 7 wt% TiO₂NPs–MPTMS were fabricated and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. All nanocomposites showed enhanced long-wavelength infrared emissivity compared to pristine SBS, with the best performance achieved at 1 wt% loading, yielding a quality factor Q = 1.32. This study highlights the role of optimized nanoparticle concentration and surface chemistry in achieving scalable, low-cost RC films for sustainable thermal management.