Advanced Fiber Materials最新文献

Self-healable electronics with self-recoverable mechanical properties show a lot of potential in improving the reliability and durability of wearable electronic devices, but it is still challenging. Herein, a self-healing core-sheath thermoelectric (TE) fiber-based temperature sensor was continuously fabricated by coaxial wet-spinning strategy, whose core layer and sheath layer are, respectively, pure Ti₃C₂T_x MXene and self-healing silk sericin (SS)/oxide sodium alginate (OSA) composite. The prepared SS/OSA@MXene core-sheath TE fiber exhibits accurate temperature-sensing at 200–400 °C based on a linear relationship between TE voltage and temperature difference. The core-sheath TE fiber that can be integrated into firefighting clothing and timely alert firefighters to evacuate from the fire before the protective clothing becomes damaged. When exposed to flames, SS/OSA@MXene can rapidly trigger a high-temperature warning voltage of 3.36 mV within 1.17 s and exhibit reversible high-temperature alarm performance. In addition, the fractured SS/OSA@MXene can restore up to 89.12% of its original strain limit at room temperature because of the robust yet reversible dynamic covalent bonds between SS and OSA. In this study, an ingenious strategy for developing a durable and wearable TE fiber-based self-powered temperature sensor was proposed. This strategy has promising application prospects in real-time temperature detection of firefighting clothing to ensure the safety of firefighters operating on a fire scene.

Graphical Abstract

Fiber batteries that can be woven into textiles are attractive as flexible power solutions to supply future wearable electronics. A rechargeable calcium–oxygen (Ca–O₂) battery which can operate at room temperature has been recently reported, revealing a new understanding on the efficient two-electron redox chemistry. The stable Ca–O₂ fiber battery was finely integrated into flexible textile batteries for next-generation wearable systems.

Textile strain sensors capable of monitoring human physiological signals and activities have great potential in health monitoring and sports. However, fabricating sensors with a wide sensing range, high sensitivity, robustness, and the capability for seamless integration into apparel remains challenging. In this work, a textile resistive strain sensor (TRSS) fabricated by selectively inlaying a conductive yarn, that is covered with water-repellent and antioxidative acrylic/copper complex fibers, into a highly elastic substrate via an industrialized knitting process is proposed. The conductive yarn is folded and compactly stacked to sense strains by changing contact resistance through contact separation of adjacent yarn sections in stretching. Owing to this folded structure, the TRSS has a wide sensing range (0–70%), high sensitivity (maximum gauge factor GF_max = 1560), low detection limit (< 0.5%), long-term fatigue resistance over 4000 cycles, and it can be seamlessly integrated into and become a part of various smart apparel products. An elbow sleeve, a knee sleeve and a sock are demonstrated to effectively monitor and distinguish various human bending motions. The fabrication strategy paves a viable way for customizing high-performance strain sensors for developing novel wearable electronics and smart clothing to detect multimode human motions.

Graphic abstract

Multifunctional microwave-absorbing (MA) honeycombs are in urgent demand both in civil and military fields, while they often suffer from great limitations due to the complicated preparation process, inferior strength, and the susceptible peeling off of the absorbent coatings. Herein, we develop a straightforward strategy of assembly of aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and MXene nanosheets to honeycombs, obtaining a functional–structural integrated microwave absorption aramid honeycomb (MAAH). Benefiting from the robust and integrated cell nodes and dense network structure, the compressive strength and toughness of ANF honeycomb can reach up to 18.6 MPa and 2.0 MJ m⁻³, respectively, which is 6 times and 25 times higher than that of commercial honeycomb. More importantly, the synergistic effect of the unique three-dimensional (3D) conductive network formed by uniformly distributed MXene and the hierarchical structure of the honeycomb endow it with superior wave-absorbing performance, which exhibits a minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of −38.5 dB at a thickness of only 1.9 mm, and covering almost the entire X-band bandwidth. Additionally, MAAH presents exceptional infrared thermal stealth, sound absorption performance, and real-time monitoring of structural integrity. Therefore, these impressive multi-functionalities of MAAH with outstanding wave-absorbing performance, ultrahigh strength, along with the straightforward and easy-to-scalable and recyclable manufacturing technique, demonstrating promising perspectives of the MAAH materials in aerospace and military fields.

Graphical Abstract

Nanofiber core-spun yarn (NCSY) combines the advantages of traditional fibers and nanofibers to be widely used in smart wearable textiles, biomedical textiles, and functional textiles. Here, for the first time, the forming process of NCSY and its shape regulation mechanism were explored via finite element analysis and response surface analysis method to obtain mathematical model for predicting the various forms of yarn. As proof-of-concept applications, shape-controllable nanofiber core-spun yarns were prepared for thermal–moisture management and solar steam generation, respectively. The as-obtained shape-controllable PAN nanofiber/cotton composite yarns could achieve an interval control of average water transfer velocity in the horizontal (0.17–0.24 cm min⁻¹) and vertical (0.24–0.33 cm min⁻¹) directions within 30 min due to the arrangement of PAN nanofibers causes microchannels and hydrophilicity, matching the sweat secretion of human bodies under dynamic or static conditions and realizing the purpose of thermal and moisture comfort. Furthermore, PAN nanofiber wrapped CNTs/cotton composite yarn-based (PAN@CNTs-NCSY) evaporator was designed, which shows a fast water evaporation rate of 1.40 kg m⁻² h⁻¹, exceeding in most fabric-based evaporators reported to date. These findings have guiding significance for preparing rich style NCSY according to demand and designing functional and intelligent textiles via adjusting the type of core and shell fibers.

Graphical Abstract

Rechargeable Zn–air batteries (ZABs) have received extensive attention, while their real applications are highly restricted by the slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR/OER). Herein, we report a “bridge” structured flexible self-supporting bifunctional oxygen electrode (CNT@Co-CNF_F50-900) with strong active and stable Co-N/C@pyridine N/C@CNTs reaction centers. Benefiting from the electron distribution optimization and the advantages of hierarchical catalytic design, the CNT@Co-CNF_F50-900 electrode had superior ORR/OER activity with a small potential gap (ΔE) of 0.74 V. Reinforced by highly graphitized carbon and the “π–π” bond, the free-standing CNT@Co-CNF_F50-900 electrode exhibited outstanding catalytic stability with only 36 mV attenuation. Impressively, the CNT@Co-CNF_F50-900-based liquid ZAB showed a high power density of 371 mW cm⁻², a high energy density of 894 Wh kg⁻¹, and a long cycling life of over 130 h. The assembled quasi-solid-state ZAB also demonstrated a high power density, attaining 81 mW cm⁻², with excellent charge–discharge durability beyond 100 h and extremely high flexibility under the multi-angle application. This study provides an effective electrospinning solution for integrating high-efficiency electrocatalysts and electrodes for energy storage and conversion devices.

Graphical Abstract

Spun-bond non-woven fabrics (NWFs) made of porous C-shaped polypropylene fibers were applied in rapid oil absorption and effective on-line oil spillage monitoring. It is of great interest to further optimize the absorption properties of these materials by tuning their preparation parameters as well as characterize them with theoretical models. In this paper, effects of die shape, diluent composition (mixtures of dibutyl and dioctyl phthalate), and drawing speed on their porous structure and oil-absorbing performance were systematically investigated and characterized based on two novel concepts, i.e., the equivalent capillary tube pore radius and the kinetic pore tortuosity (barrier to access) derived from the simplest capillary tube liquid-filling model. The use of higher dibutyl phthalate fractions under faster drawing speeds resulted in the formation of larger and more connected inner filament sub-micron pores. Three stages of tube filling relating to inter-filament large pores, medium pores close to bonding points, and inner filament small pores were observed in the spun-bond NWFs. Continuous oil recovery rates of 986 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹ with an oil/water selectivity of 6.4 were achieved in dynamic skimming experiments using simulated spilled oil.

Graphical Abstract

Developing novel antibacterial dressing protecting skin injuries from infection is essential for wound healing. In this study, sericin, a bio-waste produced during the degumming of silk cocoons, is utilized to exfoliate MoS₂ layers and improve the dispersity and stability of MoS₂ nanosheets (MoS₂-NSs). Moreover, owing to its ability to promote oxygen permeability and cell growth and its good biocompatibility, MoS₂-NS/Sericin maintains its photothermal property under an 808 nm light source for a strong antibacterial activity as well as improves the fibroblast migration, which accelerates wound healing. Furthermore, the in vitro experiments indicates that MoS₂-NS/Sericin can also scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) at an inflammatory stage of wound healing and transform classical activated macrophages (M1-type) into alternatively activated macrophages (M2-type), which is beneficial for wound recovery. Based on these results observed in vitro, full-thickness skin wound experiments are conducted on rats, and the corresponding results show that MoS₂/Sericin under 808 nm irradiation exhibits the best performance in promoting wound healing. Overall, MoS₂-NS/Sericin exhibits a high potential for bacteria-infected wound healing.

Graphical Abstract

Oral diseases are common and prevalent, affecting people's health and seriously impairing their quality of life. The implantable class of materials for a safe, convenient, and comprehensive cure of periodontitis is highly desired. This study shows a proof-of-concept demonstration about the implant fibrous membranes. The fibers having a trilayer eccentric side-by-side structure are fabricated using the multiple-fluid electrospinning, and are fine candidates for treating periodontitis. In the trilayer eccentric side-by-side composite nanofibers, the outermost layer contains a hydrophilic polymer and a drug called ketoprofen, which can reach a release of 50% within 0.37 h, providing a rapid pain relief and anti-inflammatory effect. The middle layer is loaded with metronidazole, which is manipulated to be released in a sustained manner. The innermost layer is loaded with nano-hydroxyapatite, which can directly contact with periodontal tissues to achieve the effect of promoting alveolar bone growth. The experimental results indicate that the developed implant films have good wettability, fine mechanical properties, biodegradability, and excellent antibacterial properties. The implant films can reduce inflammatory responses and promote osteoblast formation by down-regulating interleukin 6 and up-regulating osteoprotegerin expression. In addition, their composite nanostructures exhibit the desired promotional effects on fibroblast attachment, infiltration, proliferation, and differentiation. Overall, the developed fibrous implant films show strong potential for use in a combined treatment of periodontitis. The protocols reported here pave a new way to develop multi-chamber based advanced fiber materials for realizing the desired functional performances through a robust process-structure-performance relationship.

Bulky external power supplies largely limit the continuous long-term application and miniaturization development of smart sensing devices. Here, we fabricate a flexible and wearable integrated sensing system on an electrospun all-nanofiber platform. The three parts of the sensing system are all obtained by a facile ink-based direct writing method. The resistive pressure sensor is realized by decorating MXene sheets on TPU nanofiber. And, the resistive temperature sensor is prepared by compositing MXene sheets into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). The thin-film zinc–air battery (ZAB) includes an interdigital zinc–air electrode that is bonded with a gel polymer electrolyte. It can supply a high open-circuit voltage of 1.39 V and a large areal capacity of 18.2 mAh cm⁻² for stable and reliable power-supplying sensing parts operation. Thanks to the hydrophobic nature of TPU and open-ended micropores in the TPU nanofiber, the sensing system is waterproof, self-cleaning, and air and moisture permeable. For application, the above-mentioned functional components are seamlessly integrated into an intelligent electronic wristband, which is comfortably worn on a human wrist to monitor pulse and body temperature in real time with continuous operation of up to 4 h. By the novel design and remarkable performance, the proposed integrated all-nanofiber sensing system presents a promising solution for developing advanced multifunctional wearable electronics.

Graphical Abstract

We developed an integrated sensing system on a flexible and breathable thermoplastic polyurethane nanofiber platform. The sensing system is realized by a direct write technology and includes a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and rechargeable zinc–air battery. The integrated sensing system was designed for wristbands and demonstrated to accurately detect pulse beating and skin temperature under different states for up to 4 hours of wearing.