<p>Achieving high solar reflectance in colored pigments remains a challenge for energy-efficient building coatings. Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) provides vivid hues and durability but absorbs substantial solar radiation, unlike titanium dioxide (TiO₂), the benchmark white pigment with broad-spectrum reflectance. This study introduces a TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite pigment, synthesized via microwave-assisted co-precipitation, to embed Fe₂O₃ within the TiO₂ matrix, maximizing near-infrared and total solar reflectance while retaining aesthetic color. Comprehensive characterization of the prepared pigment was conducted using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to assess its chemical composition, structure, and morphology; the results confirmed the formation of a TiO₂-integrated Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite. Reflectance measurements across the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared (NIR) ranges, supported by real-world outdoor demonstrations, were also conducted, showing that the nanocomposite pigment and its corresponding coating outperform pure Fe₂O₃ in both reflectance and thermal-barrier properties. The nanocomposite achieved 63.1% NIR reflectance and 52.9% total solar reflectance (TSR), compared to 41.1% NIR and 28.3% TSR for pure Fe₂O₃. Moreover, coatings incorporating the nanocomposite exhibited 55.7% NIR reflectance and 50.1% TSR, rivaling standard white TiO₂ coatings. This study demonstrates that embedding Fe₂O₃ in a TiO₂ matrix via microwave-assisted co-precipitation can simultaneously deliver vivid coloration and enhanced solar reflectance, while establishing microwave-assisted synthesis as a rapid and promising strategy for creating multiphase pigments that integrate multiple functionalities within a single compound.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>