Fabrication of air‐conditioning tussah silk with capric–stearic eutectic mixture for effective energy storage and thermal‐regulatory applications

Abstract

AbstractUnder the urgent demand of effective energy‐storage and thermal‐regulatory textile fabrics, the air‐conditioning tussah silk as a new arrival is endowed with this excellent property by coupling with the phase change material of capric acid–stearic acid eutectic mixture. In addition, the facile pad‐dry‐cure technique used with the assistance of ultrasonic waves efficiently avoided the problems of the sophisticated process and low efficiency in traditional post‐finishing methods with phase change microcapsules. With optimal preparation conditions, the resultant tussah silk exhibited a superior thermal reliability and thermoregulatory character along with a phase enthalpy of 31.80 J g−1 at a phase change temperature of 24.01 °C. Meanwhile, the tested air permeability, mechanical properties and washing fastness showed its favorable thermal and wear comfort. Benefitting from these admirable merits, this air‐conditioning tussah silk with tunable heat storage and release performance could automatically respond to external temperature stimuli, finally contributing to practical application in intelligent protective garments. The intelligent bidirectional temperature‐adjusting property corresponding to the efficient management of human skin temperature is beneficial for constructing a comfortable microclimate for the human body. In brief, our study provides a novel heat‐storage and temperature‐regulating textile with tussah silk as well as unique natural advantages by means of a simple preparation method. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.