Functional
phase-change fabrics hold great promise as wearable
clothing. However, how to enable a phase-change fabric with the combined
features of excellent structural flexibility and robustness, integrated
multifunctionality, superior stability, and durability, as well as
facile and scalable manufacturing, still remains a significant challenge.
Herein, we demonstrated a scalable and controllable three-dimensional
(3D) printing strategy for manufacturing flexible, thin, and robust
phase-change nonwoven fabric (PCNF), with abundant and regular breathable
pores as well as uniform and tight embedment of highly interconnected
single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into hydrophobic filaments
built by intertwining solid–solid phase-change polymer chains
together. The remarkable architectural features enabled an integral
whole of the fabric, ready air exchange, superior water impermeability,
highly efficient heat harvesting and storage, and effective absorption
and reflection of electromagnetic waves, thereby delivering an exceptional
combined function of breathability, waterproofness, thermal regulation,
and radiation resistance, and meanwhile featuring superior thermal
stability and outstanding resistance to stretching/folding fatigue
even at cycles up to 2000. This work sheds light on effective strategies
for manufacturing wearable phase-change fabrics with multifunctionality
and high stability in a scalable manner toward future uses.
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