Waterborne transparent anti‐smudge coating with cooling performance via molecular engineering

Abstract The optically transparent, dynamic repellent coating effectively prevents the wetting of water and oily liquids on surfaces that are highly desirable but still challenging to integrate the characteristics of environmental friendliness and application adaptability. In this study, an environmentally friendly process combining silicone‐modified acrylate emulsion polymerization with silica sol was employed to develop an organic–inorganic dual‐continuous water‐based coating. The coating demonstrates anti‐smudge, high transparency, and cooling functionalities. It ensures that various liquids slide off the surface without leaving residues, showcasing superior anti‐smudge performance. Additionally, it exhibits excellent durability, chemical stability, and compatibility with diverse substrates. Based on molecular infrared absorption characteristics, this coating achieves emissivity rates of 88.56% and 87.52% in the two atmospheric transparent windows. Outdoor verification experiments conducted under intense sunlight, along with application tests on solar panels, indicate average cooling performances of 5.5 and 3°C. This coating exhibits significant potential for application in architectural glass and photovoltaic panels.