Research progress in thermoplastic polyurethane⁃based film materials for energy saving and cooling

doi:10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2025.05.002

Abstract

Abstract:

With the rapid development of economy， the problems of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption have become increasingly serious. In order to reduce energy consumption and promote green and low carbon developments， it is urgent to develop the efficient energy⁃saving and cooling materials. In recent years， thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer （TPU） has attracted more and more attention as a potential high⁃performance energy⁃saving cooling material. Starting from the structural design of energy⁃saving cooling materials， this paper reviewed the energy⁃saving cooling mechanism， preparation methods， and application scenarios of TPU⁃base film materials， summarized the advantages of energy⁃saving cooling by using TPU⁃based film， and looked forward to its development prospects in future.

Key words: energy saving and cooling, thermoplastic polyurethane, structure design, application

CLC Number:

TQ323.8

AN Jingjing, ZHANG Haoyu, LIU Xianhu, SHAO Chunguang. Research progress in thermoplastic polyurethane⁃based film materials for energy saving and cooling[J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(5): 9-17.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig.1. Solar energy distribution［5］

Fig.2. （a） Schematic diagram of fabrication process of the porous TPU membrane，（b） cooling mechanism and microstructure of the porous TPU membrane，（c） size distribution of pores in the porous TPU membrane［17］

Fig.3. （a） Schematic illustration of TIPS process of preparation of the porous TPU membrane，（b） cross⁃sectional image of the porous TPU membrane，（c） pore size distribution of the porous TPU membrane［20］

Fig.4. SEM images of the electrospun films［26］

Fig.5. （a） Schematic diagram of evaporative heat dissipation of the TPU based dual⁃layer film，（b） schematic diagrams of antigravity directional perspiration through the TPU［28］

Fig.6. Cross section images of the TPU fibers［30］

Fig.7. Schematic diagram of fabrication process of the multilayered BN⁃GNP/TPU composite film［34］

Fig.8. Preparation of the TPU/MWCNTs/ATOs composite films［37］

Fig.9. （a） Schematic illustration and photographic image of experimental setup，（b） outdoor experimental results of the porous TPU cooler and ambient in Daejeon city［20］

Fig.10. Realistic active cooling performance measurement［34］

Fig.11. Set⁃point （a） temperature variations and （b） distributions over heating time，（c） infrared thermal images of the TPU/hBN composite films with various loadings at 25 ℃［46］

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