Cool and clean: Smart radiative-cooling and self-cleaning paints for greener, longer-lasting buildings

Rising surface temperatures pose a major challenge, especially in arid regions like Qatar, where dependence on air conditioning drives electricity demand and fossil fuel use, worsening air pollution and climate change. To address this, energy-free passive cooling solutions are urgently needed. This project focuses on developing durable, self-cleaning radiative paints tailored for urban infrastructure and green buildings. These paints are engineered to reflect solar radiation and emit heat into outer space, cutting surface temperatures without external energy input. Using advanced polymeric composites, they are designed to exceed 90% solar reflectance and thermal emissivity. Both thermoplastics and thermosets will be tested as binders, while recovered barium sulfate (BaSO₄) from desalination brine will serve as a sustainable white pigment, reducing reliance on virgin raw materials and promoting circular economy practices. A further innovation is their self-cleaning capability, with over 80% dust removal achieved through superhydrophobic, micro/nano-textured polymeric surfaces. Easy application methods—brushes, rollers, or sprays—will make them scalable for real-world use. Experimental testing and simulations will validate performance, with expected energy savings and heat load reductions of 20–30%. By transforming building surfaces into active climate-control systems, this project aims to deliver a practical, commercially viable solution for sustainable urban cooling.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)