Tailoring waterproof and breathable properties of environmentally friendly electrospun fibrous membranes by optimizing porous structure and surface wettability

Abstract

Developing a feasible and efficient waterproof and breathable (W&B) membrane with environmentally friendliness for high-end protective garments is of great significance but very challenging. Herein, an environmentally friendly and high-performing W&B membrane via a facile strategy of one-step electrospinning is created. It has been confirmed that the porous structure and surface wettability greatly affected W&B properties of the electrospun membranes, and excessive utilization of fluorinated segments with low surface energy would not further enhance the hydrophobicity . Consequently, the prepared composite membranes exhibit an exceptional hydrostatic pressure of 88.2 kPa, high water vapor transmission (WVT) rate of 11.8 kg m −2 d −1 , together with comparable mechanical strength of 11.4 MPa, which are expected to reach the requirements of upscale market for high-performing protective garments. • Porous structure and surface chemical properties of the fibrous membranes were subtly regulated. • The effects of pore size and surface wettability on waterproof breathable properties were thoroughly investigated. • The resultant environmentally friendly fibrous membranes exhibited good comprehensive properties.