A regenerated cellulose fiber with high mechanical properties for temperature-adaptive thermal management

The escalating global population has led to a surge in waste textiles, posing a significant challenge in landfill management worldwide. In this work, ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole acetate ([Bmim]OAc) and DMF (N, n-dimethylformamide) were used as solvents to dissolve waste denim fabric, then vanadium dioxide (VO₂) nanoparticles were introduced into the spinning solution, and cellulose fibers were regenerated by dry-wet spinning process, to promote the recycling of waste cotton fabric. Finally, regenerated cellulose fibers with high added value were prepared by dry-wet spinning. Through this innovative strategy, on the one hand, because VO₂ can form a large number of hydrogen bonds between the regenerated cellulose molecules, and realize the cross-networking structure of the molecular chains inside the fiber, the mechanical properties of the regenerated cellulose fibers are enhanced. On the other hand, due to the thermal phase transformation characteristics of VO₂, it also endows the regenerated cellulose fiber unique intelligent temperature control function. Compared with the pristine regenerated fiber, the tensile stress of the regenerated fiber after adding VO₂ nanoparticles (F-VO₂) increased by 25.6 %, reaching 158.68 MPa. In addition, the F-VO₂ fibric provides excellent intelligent temperature control, reducing temperatures by up to 6.7 °C.