Mechanically robust superhydrophobic and oleophobic nanofiber membranes with breathability, solvent-resistance, and high-temperature-resistance

Abstract

Protective materials that can ensure the safety of personnel and equipment in extreme environments have a wide range of application prospects, such as outdoor protective clothing, fire-fighting clothing, etc. However, designing such highly functional materials is still considered a long-standing challenge. Herein, the superhydrophobic and oleophobic fibrous membranes (SOFM) prepared by electrospinning, heat treatment and spraying techniques, endowing the fibrous membranes with good thermal stability, air permeability and outstanding repellence to liquids such as water, oil and low surface energy solvents. The developed SOFM exhibits integrated properties with ethanol intrusion pressure of 0.75 KPa, excellent air permeability of 1.54 mm/s, water vapor transmission rate of 7.99 kg·m−2·d-1, high thermal decomposition temperature of 330 ℃, tensile strength of 9.2 MPa. Therefore, SOFM can effectively protect people and equipment in extreme environments. This work may contribute to the design of fiber materials with higher protection levels in the field of protective clothing.

Keywords

• Fibrous membranes
• Amphiphobic
• Multifunctional protective fabric
• Solvent intrusion pressures
• Mechanical model