Molecularly and Structurally Designed Polyimide Nanofiber Radiative Cooling Films for Spacecraft Thermal Management

Abstract

AbstractRadiative cooling films (RCFs) are crucial for spacecraft thermal management, but their optical performance is currently limited by their structures and intrinsic high absorption at short wavelengths. In this study, a novel RCF using electrospun polyimide nanofibers optimized at both the molecular and microscale levels is developed. The newly designed polyimide molecules significantly decrease visible and ultraviolet (UV) light absorption while maintaining excellent thermal radiation properties in the infrared spectrum. By optimizing the diameter and orientation of the nanofibers using Monte Carlo simulations, the resulting film achieves a solar reflectivity of 99.6% and a mid‐infrared emissivity of 0.93. Its physical structures and optical properties remain stable under exposure to UV light, atomic oxygen, and extreme temperature changes. Further vacuum radiative cooling tests reveal that the thermal equilibrium temperature of this film is approximately 28 °C lower than that of Kapton‐based RCFs currently used in spacecraft. These results provide a new approach for creating efficient thermal management materials for space applications, with potential for broader use in architecture, electronic devices, and outdoor equipment.