Adaptive Textiles Based on Recyclable High-Shrinkage Polyester for Personal Thermal Management

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Conventional textiles lack adaptive thermal management, struggling with fluctuating ambient temperatures.
• Developing smart materials is crucial for enhancing personal thermal comfort and energy efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create an adaptive nanofiber membrane for bimodal thermal management (heating and cooling).
• To utilize recyclable high-shrinkage polyester (HSPET) for sustainable material development.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a nanofiber membrane using recyclable HSPET.
• Incorporation of thermochromic microcapsules (TCMCs) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) for adaptive properties.
• Evaluation of thermal performance through simulated and outdoor testing.

Main Results:

• The adaptive nanofiber membrane demonstrated efficient "heating-cooling" bimodal switching.
• Outdoor tests showed significant temperature regulation: a 4.62 °C increase in cold and a 5.27 °C decrease in heat.
• The membrane exhibited excellent mechanical strength and hydrophobic self-cleaning properties.

Conclusions:

• The developed HSPET nanofiber membrane offers high-performance bidirectional thermal management.
• This material presents a novel approach for the high-value utilization of waste polymers.
• The adaptive membrane technology holds promise for practical applications requiring dynamic thermal comfort.