Eco-friendly wearable textiles: Asymmetric structures for EMI shielding, thermal management, and fire safety

Abstract

This work focuses on developing multifunctional wearable fabrics, specifically targeting the challenge of flammability in this context. An eco-friendly, asymmetrically structured nylon/cotton blend fabric is prepared through the surface modification of phytic acid-induced polyaniline, the application of silver nanowires (AgNWs) and MXene on both sides and encapsulated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The AgNWs coating suppresses thermal radiation from the human body to achieve radiative heating, while the MXene coating enhances solar heating, ensuring thermal comfort in cold conditions. The treated fabric also exhibits electrical heating for heat compensation in the absence of sunlight, remarkable EMI shielding performance (55.6 dB) is also achieved. Enhanced fire safety is demonstrated as the treated fabric extinguishes when exposed to flame, reducing heat release by 45.9 % relative to the control nylon/cotton blend fabric (CO/NY). Additionally, the treated fabric exhibits significant antibacterial properties against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus, along with a notable water contact angle (WCA) of 130.2°. This work provides a promising method for the development of eco-friendly wearable smart fabrics with well-balanced desirable properties.