Stable high temperature meta-film for visible and infrared compatible camouflage

Abstract

The advancement of multispectral detection has spurred the development of camouflage materials for both visible and infrared spectra. This is especially challenging for hypersonic vehicles, where extreme heat during flight demands highly durable materials. However, research on high-temperature visible-infrared camouflage remains limited. Here, we propose a high-temperature-resistant visible-infrared camouflage strategy. The designed material enables tunable coloration in the visible spectrum while maintaining low infrared emissivity (<0.25) in dual infrared bands (3-5 and 8-14 μm), effectively minimizing thermal radiation leakage. Our findings reveal that the spectral degradation of conventional Pt/Al₂O₃/Pt multilayers at high temperatures primarily stems from film structural degradation and intrinsic material property alterations, particularly the irregular agglomeration of the top Pt layer, which disrupts film continuity and causes unpredictable spectral shifts. By introducing an Al₂O₃ protective layer, we suppress Pt agglomeration, enabling a transition from three-dimensional disorder to two-dimensional order, thereby enhancing spectral predictability. Building on these insights, we propose an innovative pre-aging strategy, wherein the material’s optical properties in a stabilized post-annealing state are reverse-engineered and pre-aged through thermal treatment to achieve the target spectral performance. This approach ensures long-term high-temperature stability for effective camouflage functionality. Experimental results demonstrate that the designed material retains its camouflage efficacy for over 100 hours at 600°C. This study lays the foundation for the intelligent design and fabrication of next-generation high-temperature-resistant camouflage materials for future applications.