Conductive Textile Embedded with Bioinspired Wettability for Prolonged and Energy Efficient Thermal Management

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Electrically conductive textiles offer a promising solution for personal heating in cold climates.
• Scalable fabrication of durable conductive textiles with stable performance remains a challenge.
• Existing methods often lack water repellency and long-term performance under various conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a breathable, wrappable, and water-repellent conductive textile (water-repellent CT) with electrothermal and photothermal capabilities.
• To address the scarcity of scalable fabrication methods for high-performance conductive textiles.
• To demonstrate the potential for personal heat management in extreme cold conditions.

Main Methods:

• Spray deposition of silver nanowires (AgNWs) onto a woven textile to create a conductive network.
• Subsequent spray deposition of small molecules to prevent AgNW oxidation and impart water repellency.
• Fabrication of wearable devices utilizing the water-repellent CT for personal heating applications.

Main Results:

• A uniform, highly conductive network of AgNWs was achieved over large dimensions.
• The water-repellent CT exhibited electrothermal and photothermal conversion abilities at low voltage and weak light.
• The material maintained performance in aqueous environments and demonstrated prolonged heating with a portable battery.

Conclusions:

• The scalable spray deposition method yields a durable, water-repellent conductive textile.
• The developed textile enables energy-efficient, wearable heating for personal thermal management.
• This technology provides a foundation for diverse applications requiring reliable heating in challenging environments.