Radiative Cooling Face Mask

Abstract

Radiative cooling is a zero energy consumption surface cooling technology, which appears to be a viable option for the development of radiative cooling face masks. After the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have become crucial protective equipment in our daily lives, protecting from inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM) and also viruses. However, wearing conventional face masks for a long time is very unpleasant due to swelter on the face, especially in the outdoor sunlight environment. In this study, a radiative cooling polymer-based composite material (PCM) face mask has been designed and demonstrated experimentally to enhance the wearing comfort of the users including protection from PM and viruses. With a single layer of the silver nanoparticle coating, a PCM face mask has high efficiency to block sunlight by reducing solar transmittance and emit radiation by higher IR emissivity. Additionally, outdoor measurements with a simulated skin under the sun was carried out, and the PCM face mask showed a notable 4 °C cooling impact in comparison to the bare mask.