Ionic Liquid-Based Reversible Metal Electrodeposition for Adaptive Radiative Thermoregulation Under Extreme Environments

This paper presents the development of an electrochemically-driven variable emission thermoregulating device designed for efficient radiative heat management across various temperature environments. Utilizing the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄), the study explores its thermal and electrochemical stability, low vapor pressure, and excellent performance over a wide operational temperature range, making it an ideal electrolyte. The device uses mid-infrared electrochromic technology, employing ultra-wideband transparent conductive electrodes and reversible metal electrodeposition to dynamically adjust thermal emissivity between 0.06 and 0.89. This capability allows for significant improvements in heat management, offering a responsive and adaptable solution compared to current systems. The findings suggest that such advanced materials and mechanisms can enhance energy management in spacecraft, potentially extending to other space fields requiring precise thermal control.