Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative Architecture

Abstract Global climate warming has dramatically increased the demand for space cooling. Materials that integrate superior thermal insulation with passive daytime radiative cooling properties hold significant promise for reducing energy consumption for space cooling during hot summers. In this study...

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Main Authors: Wenyu Zhong, Yichong Chen, Dongdong Hu, Jiayang Sun, Xingyu Jia, Ling Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202501188
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author Wenyu Zhong
Yichong Chen
Dongdong Hu
Jiayang Sun
Xingyu Jia
Ling Zhao
author_facet Wenyu Zhong
Yichong Chen
Dongdong Hu
Jiayang Sun
Xingyu Jia
Ling Zhao
author_sort Wenyu Zhong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Global climate warming has dramatically increased the demand for space cooling. Materials that integrate superior thermal insulation with passive daytime radiative cooling properties hold significant promise for reducing energy consumption for space cooling during hot summers. In this study, conduction‐microwave heating assisted CO2 foaming process is used to optimize cell size and expansion ratios, producing PMMA/PVDF foam with an ultra‐high expansion ratio of 120 times and small, uniform cells. The foam is hydrophobic, chemically resistant, and recyclable, with a negative Poisson's ratio structure that gives it outstanding compression strength, elasticity, and flexibility, making it suitable for both everyday use and extreme weather conditions. The inherent properties of the material and its cell structure confer low thermal conductivity (26.69 mW m−1 K−1), high solar reflectance (96.37%), and high infrared emissivity (97.34%). This means that indoor cooling of buildings can be achieved in hot weather (15 °C difference in test results before and after use), meeting the cooling needs of buildings in most countries around the world. The ultra‐high expansion ratio PMMA/PVDF foam demonstrates significant potential in energy conservation, reducing carbon footprints, and promoting sustainability, providing a solution for the development of next‐generation buildings.
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issn 2198-3844
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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spelling doaj-art-69d3416e48984192b3dc6e582acdd7cb2025-08-20T03:13:27ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-05-011219n/an/a10.1002/advs.202501188Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative ArchitectureWenyu Zhong0Yichong Chen1Dongdong Hu2Jiayang Sun3Xingyu Jia4Ling Zhao5State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering School of Chemical Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 P. R. ChinaState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering School of Chemical Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 P. R. ChinaState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering School of Chemical Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 P. R. ChinaState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering School of Chemical Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 P. R. ChinaState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering School of Chemical Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 P. R. ChinaState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering School of Chemical Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 P. R. ChinaAbstract Global climate warming has dramatically increased the demand for space cooling. Materials that integrate superior thermal insulation with passive daytime radiative cooling properties hold significant promise for reducing energy consumption for space cooling during hot summers. In this study, conduction‐microwave heating assisted CO2 foaming process is used to optimize cell size and expansion ratios, producing PMMA/PVDF foam with an ultra‐high expansion ratio of 120 times and small, uniform cells. The foam is hydrophobic, chemically resistant, and recyclable, with a negative Poisson's ratio structure that gives it outstanding compression strength, elasticity, and flexibility, making it suitable for both everyday use and extreme weather conditions. The inherent properties of the material and its cell structure confer low thermal conductivity (26.69 mW m−1 K−1), high solar reflectance (96.37%), and high infrared emissivity (97.34%). This means that indoor cooling of buildings can be achieved in hot weather (15 °C difference in test results before and after use), meeting the cooling needs of buildings in most countries around the world. The ultra‐high expansion ratio PMMA/PVDF foam demonstrates significant potential in energy conservation, reducing carbon footprints, and promoting sustainability, providing a solution for the development of next‐generation buildings.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202501188conduction‐microwave heating assisted CO2 foamingnegative Poisson's ratiopassive daytime radiant cooling (PDRC) materialsPMMA/PVDFultra‐high expansion ratio foam
spellingShingle Wenyu Zhong
Yichong Chen
Dongdong Hu
Jiayang Sun
Xingyu Jia
Ling Zhao
Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative Architecture
Advanced Science
conduction‐microwave heating assisted CO2 foaming
negative Poisson's ratio
passive daytime radiant cooling (PDRC) materials
PMMA/PVDF
ultra‐high expansion ratio foam
title Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative Architecture
title_full Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative Architecture
title_fullStr Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative Architecture
title_full_unstemmed Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative Architecture
title_short Unprecedented Ultra‐High Expansion Ratio Foam for Innovative Architecture
title_sort unprecedented ultra high expansion ratio foam for innovative architecture
topic conduction‐microwave heating assisted CO2 foaming
negative Poisson's ratio
passive daytime radiant cooling (PDRC) materials
PMMA/PVDF
ultra‐high expansion ratio foam
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202501188
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AT jiayangsun unprecedentedultrahighexpansionratiofoamforinnovativearchitecture
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