Hierarchically Porous Super-Hygroscopic Hydrogel with Wide Humidity Regulation Capability for Enhancing Thermal...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Personal protective clothing traps heat and moisture, leading to heat stress.
• Effective moisture management is crucial for wearer comfort and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a hierarchically porous superhygroscopic composite hydrogel for enhanced moisture management in personal protective clothing.
• To improve thermal comfort and alleviate heat stress for individuals wearing protective gear.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite hydrogel using γ-PGA, UiO-66-NH2 (metal-organic framework), and LiCl.
• Characterization of the hydrogel's hierarchical porous structure and moisture adsorption properties across a wide humidity range.
• Evaluation of mechanical properties, cyclic durability, and performance in simulated protective clothing applications.

Main Results:

• The γ-PGA/UiO-66-NH2/LiCl hydrogel exhibited rapid water absorption at low humidity (30% RH) and exceptional capacity at high humidity (90% RH).
• The composite hydrogel demonstrated ultrahigh saturation moisture uptake and excellent structural stability with high tensile strength (3.81 MPa).
• Application in protective clothing significantly reduced internal relative humidity and evaporative resistance, enhancing sweat evaporation and alleviating heat stress.

Conclusions:

• The developed composite hydrogel offers a promising solution for effective moisture management in personal protective clothing.
• This material significantly improves thermal comfort by facilitating sweat evaporation and reducing heat stress.
• The study presents an effective strategy for enhancing the performance of personal protective equipment.