Multifunctional Hybrid Membranes with Enhanced Heat Dissipation and Sweat Transportation for Wearable Applications

作者：Chen, Yongfang; Qiu, Fengxian; Yang, Dongya^*; Li, Yuqi; Liang, Hui; Zhang, Tao^*

来源：ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2022, 5(9): 11892-11899.

DOI：10.1021/acsaem.2c02556

• radiant heat dissipation
• wearable materials
• sweat transportation
• hybrid membranes
• infrared emissivity

Maintaining human body's comfort is an essential requirement for wearable materials, but designing functional wearable materials with thermal and humidity management properties remains a challenge. In this work, aramid nanofiber-MnO2 nanowire (ANFMN) hybrid membranes with heat dissipation and sweat transportation were successfully fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly of hydrophilic aramid nanofibers-MnO2 nanowires (HAFMW) and hydrophobic MnO2 nanowires@MnO2 nanosheets (HMWMN) by the hydrothermal method, vacuum filtration, and steam modification. The HMWMN layer is prepared by in situ growth of MnO2 nanosheets on MnO2 nanowires and subsequent steam modification. The HMWMN layer exhibits higher infrared emissivity (0.56), and the infrared image shows that the temperature difference between ANFMN hybrid membranes and cotton clothes is 3.8 degrees C, indicating that the ANFMN hybrid membranes have excellent radiation heat dissipation properties. The simulated sweat on the HMWMN layer was transported into the HAFMW layer within 13.4 s, showing excellent sweat transportation properties. Interestingly, the movement of simulated sweat on the HAFMW layer is different from that on the HMWMN layer, and it would spontaneously spread out as soon as it contacts the HAFMW layer. In addition, the ANFMN hybrid membranes exhibit excellent flexibility, mechanical strength, and water vapor permeability which improves wearing comfort. In summary, this study provides a possibility for increasing wearing comfort to deal with the complex external environment.

• 单位
  江苏大学; 桂林理工大学