Radiative thermal management materials and devices: principles, advances and potential applications

In recent decades, the rapid development of human civilization has intensified global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to two major crises: global energy shortages and climate deterioration. As the frequency of extreme weather events increases, reliance on traditional thermal management systems has grown, making these systems highly energy-intensive. Consequently, new thermal management technologies that conserve energy and reduce emissions have become a central focus of energy research. Compared to conventional thermal management methods, radiative thermal management (RTM) technology—which utilizes materials with high radiative optical properties to achieve low- or zero-energy thermal management—has been proposed as a sustainable alternative. Currently, static RTM technology is more mature and widely applied, contributing significantly to energy conservation and emission reduction. However, static RTM cannot provide effective thermal management throughout the entire day or year. Therefore, dynamic RTM technology, which incorporates radiation regulation functions, has emerged as the most promising solution, with substantial research progress achieved. This review first explains the fundamental principles of RTM, then provides a comprehensive overview of switching mechanisms, primary materials, design principles, application areas, and device designs for both static and dynamic RTM. Additionally, by comparing different types of RTM materials, this review summarizes their advantages and disadvantages, offering researchers a clearer understanding of current challenges and future development directions in RTM materials.