Recyclable and Scalable Cellulose/SiO₂ Fiber Enabling Thermal and Moisture Comfort

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Personal thermal management textiles face challenges in sustainability, scalability, and end-of-life options.
• Simultaneous radiative cooling and moisture management in textiles are critical for comfort and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable, scalable, and recyclable fiber for advanced personal thermal management textiles.
• To engineer a material that provides radiative cooling, effective moisture transport, and biodegradability.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of cellulose/SiO2 fiber (CSF) using a wet-spinning process involving cellulose dissolution and nano-SiO2 incorporation.
• Characterization of the fiber's hierarchical structure, solar scattering, mid-infrared emissivity, and water transport properties.
• Evaluation of soil-biodegradation and closed-loop recycling potential.

Main Results:

• The CSF exhibited enhanced solar scattering (94.56%) and high mid-infrared emissivity (94.8%), achieving 9.5 °C sub-ambient cooling.
• A multiscale water-transport network facilitated superior water diffusion area and water-vapor transmission rate compared to cotton and polyester.
• The material demonstrated soil-biodegradability and feasibility for closed-loop reuse.

Conclusions:

• The developed CSF offers a promising solution for sustainable and high-performance wearable cooling textiles.
• The wet-spinning strategy provides a viable pathway for producing eco-friendly, functional fibers for thermal and moisture comfort applications.