Direct electrospinning of fluorine-free waterproof polyamide/polydimethylsiloxane nanofibrous membranes with highly breathable performance

Abstract

Waterproof and breathable membranes (WBMs) are highly desirable for protective textiles; however, the practical application of existing polyamide nanofibrous WBMs is limited by poor breathability, complicated post-treatments, and toxic-solvent processing. Herein, we present unique fluorine-free polyamide/polydimethylsiloxane (PA/PDMS) composite nanofibrous WBMs by direct electrospinning using alcohol-based green solvents. Highly interconnective channels with robust hydrophobicity are constructed within polyamide nanofibrous WBMs with in-situ incorporation of PDMS by one-step spinning without any post treatments. The resulting PA/PDMS membranes exhibit outstanding air permeability (12.7 mm s−1), high moisture permeability (3.77 kg m−2 d−1), and good hydrostatic pressure (28.3 kPa), suggesting promising utility for outdoor clothing, medical gowns, and wound dressings. The successful synthesis of alcohol-solvent-based fluorine-free PA/PDMS nanofibrous WBMs by facile direct spinning strategy may pave a new way to develop future green polyamide textiles.