Hygroscopic all-polymer composite for moisture management and evaporative cooling

Abstract

Adsorption-based water management and evaporative cooling personal thermal management (PTM) technologies offer great potential to achieve adaptive temperature regulation, wide applicability, and low energy consumption. However, designing high-performance and durable hygroscopic composites that combine efficient heat dissipation with wear comfort is a challenge. More recently, Xu et al. used two hygroscopic polymers and crosslinking strategies to develop moisture-absorbent fabrics with excellent hygroscopicity, durability, ductility, air permeability, washable resistance, and antibacterial properties. This work paved an intriguing PTM application prospect of an all-polymer hygroscopic composite to achieve energy-efficient moisture sorption and evaporative cooling.