Bioinspired Moisture-Responsive Smart Knitted Fabric with Artificial Leaf Stomata Based on Polyacrylamide Hydrogel

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Biomimetics

Background:

• Smart textiles require dynamic moisture responsiveness for adaptive comfort.
• Existing moisture-responsive fabrics often lack speed, durability, and desirable tactile properties.
• Integrating functionality without compromising aesthetics and wearability is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for creating moisture-responsive textiles using artificial leaf stomata.
• To engineer knitted fabrics with enhanced dynamic moisture adaptation capabilities.
• To optimize the design for rapid response, reversibility, durability, and comfort.

Main Methods:

• Screen-printing polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel coatings onto knitted fabrics.
• Utilizing laser cutting to create moisture-responsive slit patterns inspired by leaf stomata.
• Investigating hydrogel formulation, coating parameters, cutting direction, and pattern aspect ratio.
• Evaluating actuation performance, response time, reversibility, and durability through moisture absorption tests and laundering.

Main Results:

• PAAm-coated fabrics demonstrated autonomous opening and closing of slits in response to moisture.
• Optimized slits opened within 10 seconds upon absorbing 95% of dry weight in moisture.
• Air permeability increased by 63.3% compared to control fabrics.
• The moisture-responsive features remained stable after repeated laundering, showing excellent durability.

Conclusions:

• Bioinspired artificial leaf stomata integrated into textiles offer a viable strategy for high-performance smart garments.
• The developed technology enhances heat and moisture dissipation, improving wearer comfort.
• This approach provides a durable and aesthetically compatible solution for advanced, moisture-responsive clothing.