Jingna Zhang, Yangzhe Hou, Chuntai Liu, Changyu Shen, Yamin Pan, Xianhu Liu
The increasing frequency of extreme weather events underscores the urgent need for personal thermal management. However, developing thermal management materials that effectively accommodate human perspiration remains a key challenge. In this study, we utilized polylactic acid (PLA), a green and biodegradable polymer, as the substrate to fabricate a high-performance asymmetric Janus radiative cooling fabric via a continuous spinning process. The Janus fabric (JF) features a hydrophilic top layer (JF-T) and a hydrophobic bottom layer (JF-A). This unique structure synergistically integrates radiative cooling, directional sweat wicking, and unidirectional heat conduction, achieving a solar reflectance of 91.02% and a mid-infrared (MIR) emissivity of 95.34%. Under direct sunlight, the JF achieves a maximum subambient cooling of 7.2 °C. Moreover, it demonstrates an impressive water evaporation rate of 651.88 g m –2 h –1, alongside excellent breathability and liquid diffusion properties, which translates to rapid sweat removal and a drier microclimate for enhanced wearer comfort during prolonged or high-intensity activities. This work presents a scalable strategy for developing eco-friendly cooling textiles aimed at enhancing outdoor thermal comfort, showing significant promise for integration into next-generation wearable technologies.