Hydrophobic, Hemostatic and Durable Nanofiber Composites with a Screw-Like Surface Architecture for Multifunctional Sensing Electronics

MXene-decorated textile composites have attracted tremendous attention, due to their possible applications in wearable sensing electronics. However, the easy oxidation, low strain sensitivity and poor water-proof performance restrict the applications of MXene-based smart textiles. Here, we developed a flexible and hydrophobic polymer nanofibrous composite with a screw-like structure by assembling MXene nanosheets onto a prestretched polyurethane (PU) nanofiber surface and subsequent fluorination treatment. The thin hydrophobic fluorosilane layer can greatly prevent the MXene shell from being oxidized and simultaneously endow the nanofiber composite with good hemostatic performance. The wrinkled MXene shell with the screw-like structure enhances the sensitivity of MXene@PU nanofiber composite (HMPU) toward strain, and the hydrophobic strain sensor exhibits a high gauge factor (324.4 in the strain range of 85–100%), and can detect different human movements. In virtue of its excellent water-proof performance, HMPU can function normally in corrosive and underwater conditions. In addition, the resistance of HMPU exhibits a negative temperature coefficient; thus, HMPU shows potential for monitoring temperature and providing a temperature alarm. The multifunctional HMPU shows broad application prospects in smart wearable electronics.

Graphical Abstract