Guoqing Zhang

Textiles incorporating microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) offer intelligent temperature regulation and enhanced wearing comfort by buffering external temperature fluctuations. Real‐time temperature monitoring of such phase‐change material (PCM) textiles is essential for delivering objective temperature data and alerting wearers to ambient conditions. While thermochromic MPCM coatings have been explored for this purpose, challenges remain in controlling the relationship between thermochromic and phase change temperatures and in ensuring uniform coating distribution. In this work, MPCM‐incorporated fibrous thermochromic indicators were prepared by applying an MPCM/thermochromic pigment coating onto a hydrophobic fibrous substrate using the blade coating method. As a result, the MPCM/thermochromic pigment coating is uniformly deposited on one side of the hydrophobic fibrous substrate. The phase transition and thermal energy storage behavior of the MPCM are independent of the thermochromic pigment. The MPCM‐incorporated fibrous thermochromic indicators exhibit stable thermochromic properties from 22 to 34 °C and effective thermal energy storage between 24 and 29 °C. The enthalpy of the MPCM‐incorporated fibrous thermochromic indicator exceeds 12 J g ⁻¹ , with MPCM contribution over 80%. The MPCM‐incorporated fibrous thermochromic indicators also exhibit a significant thermal buffering effect, serving as a dual‐function platform for temperature management and visual temperature warning, with promising applications.

Polymer-based direct radiative cooling (PDRC) materials have attracted increasing attention due to their diverse functional groups and high emissivity within the atmospheric window (8–13 µm). This study introduces a new class of hollow microspheres featuring a multifunctional poly-trimethylolpropane triacrylate (PTMPTA) shell for enhanced radiative cooling. These microspheres are synthesized via radical-initiated interfacial polymerization using heptane as the core and PTMPTA as the shell precursor, followed by thermal evaporation of the n-heptane core. The resulting hollow structures exhibit uniform morphology with ~2 μm diameter and ~50 nm shell thickness. The inner cavities facilitate strong light scattering and efficient thermal emission. The microspheres are integrated onto fabric substrates through a scalable coating process, forming composite fabrics with superior spectral selectivity. The coatings achieve solar reflectance exceeding 80% (0.3–2.5 μm) and infrared emissivity above 90% (8–13 μm), effectively reducing solar heat gain while enhancing radiative heat loss. Outdoor comparative measurements against uncoated fabric substrates further demonstrate the cooling advantage of the composite coating: Under typical outdoor conditions (solar irradiance >1 kW/m²), the surface temperature of the coated fabric was consistently lower than that of the pristine fabric, with a maximum temperature difference of 6.9°C. Skin surface tests demonstrated a temperature reduction of approximately 2–3°C when covered by the coated fabric. These results underscore the material’s potential for practical passive cooling applications in outdoor equipment, wearable textiles, and architectural coatings.

( S )-α-Ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide (trade name levetiracetam), a derivative of piracetam, is used clinically as an add-on treatment for partial-onset seizures. In this study, we report the solid-state structure of a new drug co-crystal produced from levetiracetam and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid through cooling crystallization. This compound was further characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The new co-crystals show a 1:1 stoichiometry and crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group P 2 ₁ , with cell parameters: a = 9.7709(3) Å, b = 6.2202(2) Å, c = 14.7280(4) Å, α = 90°, β = 96.0340(10)°, γ = 90°, V = 890.16(5) Å ³ , and Z = 2. It is identified that hydrogen bonds are the main interactions between levetiracetam and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, and the contribution of each hydrogen bond in maintaining the stability of the crystal structure was also quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Stimuli-responsive/smart drug delivery systems (DDSs), particularly those that use temperature as a stimuli-response factor to activate drug release, are the subject of recent research. A phase change material (PCM) is a popular thermally responsive material that can be used as a drug carrier and only when the system temperature is above the phase change point is the drug released following the phase change material changing from solid to liquid. In this study, a novel NIR light-triggered temperature-sensitive drug delivery system is developed for controllable release of acyclovir (ACV). For this purpose, a mixture of a phase change material (T38) and an ACV compound is first emulsified with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) as a Pickering stabilizer and a photothermal conversion material, and then encapsulated with SiO₂ to form a photothermal stimuli-responsive delivery system. This system shows a uniform spherical shape with a well-distinct core–shell structure, and is further experimentally proven to be able to controllably release drugs with solid–liquid transition of the phase change carrier upon temperature change. These results indicate that cumulative release of ACV can reach 51.2% at 40 °C within 20 hours, which is much higher than 27.3% release achieved below the melting point of T38. In addition, CuO NPs with excellent photothermal conversion ability endow the system with precisely controllable drug delivery via NIR light stimulation, where the cumulative drug release can reach 83.6% after 7 cycles of light stimulation, allowing controlled release at a specific time or location.

Stimulus‐responsive fragrance microcapsules gradually bring about the attention of the people by using the external environment as the “on/off” switch to achieve intelligent release of aromatic compounds. In this paper, the photothermal responsive fragrance microcapsules are successfully synthesized by in situ polymerization using methyl methacrylate (MMA) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) as wall materials simultaneously doped with polyaniline (PANI). The results indicate that the synthesized fragrance microcapsules have good spherical shape and thermal stability, which can prevent the leakage of essential oil. Furthermore, the addition of PANI effectively promotes the release of fragrance under the stimulation of light source, achieving photothermal responsive release. Meanwhile, the prepared fragrance microcapsules are applied to fabricate fragrance silk fabrics through soaking‐rolling‐baking procedure. The obtained aromatic fabrics show interesting light stimulation release behavior and good washing fastness.