Covalent interface engineering of ZrO2/SBA-15 composites for enhanced optical and thermal radiation performance

Optimizing high solar reflectance and infrared radiation in composites faces challenges like optical imbalance and instability. This study used efficient impregnation to uniformly disperse ZrO₂ onto ordered mesoporous SBA-15. First-principles calculations revealed robust covalent bonds and charge redistribution at the ZrO₂/SBA-15 interface, yielding exceptional stability (adhesion energy: 1.91 J/m 2 ). This multi-interface structure significantly enhanced optical and thermal radiation properties. With 10 wt% Zr loading, the composite pigment achieved ultra-high solar reflectance (96.8 %, 0.3–2.5 μm) and hemispherical emissivity (0.98, 8–13 μm). The work clarifies the link between atomic-scale interface interactions and macroscopic optical/thermal properties, providing foundational insights for designing stable, high-performance composites for optical and thermal management.