Multifunctional PAN/Al–ZnO/Ag Nanofibers for Infrared Stealth, Self-Cleaning, and Antibacterial Applications

Abstract

With the development of modern infrared detection systems, military targets are more easily exposed, leading to the increasing risk of high-value targets being detected. Thus, stealth materials are highly desired to protect these targets. Additionally, stealth materials should expand their application scenarios to meet the growing performance requirements of military equipment. In this work, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Al−ZnO/Ag nanofiber composite (PAN/ZAO/Ag) with three functions including infrared protection, antibacterial property, and self-cleaning was prepared by electrospinning, solvothermal, and electroless plating processes. The Schottky junction was formed due to the direct contact between ZAO nanosheets and Ag nanoparticles, leading the materials to possess the characteristic of plasmon resonance absorption of near-infrared light. In the thermal infrared imaging band of 8−14 μm, the infrared emissivity of the fiber was as low as 0.39, effectively blocking the target's thermal radiation. The composite membranes also achieved self-cleaning effect and synergistic antibacterial effect, with the maximum contact angle of 131.5°for water and 100% of antibacterial rate. In summary, this study provided a possibility for multifunctional infrared protective clothing materials to deal with the complex battlefield environment.

Research status and development of infrared camouflage textile materials

“…(a) Schematic diagram of the silver particle-modified carbon nanotube paper (SMCNP); 87 (b) multifunctional polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Al−ZnO/Ag nanofibers for infrared camouflage, self-cleaning, and antibacterial applications; 89 (c) visible-light and infrared images of textiles based on polyester, polyurethane (PU), and PU-antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) applied to parts of a white cotton T-shirt; and (d) a schematic showing the infrared- and thermal radiation-shielding and hydrophobic properties of a textile weaved with PU-ATO composite fibers. 90 …”

“…The treated fabric had high infrared reflectivity, and could also play a role in moderately isolating human body heat. 88 In the work of Wang et al., 89 PAN/Al–ZnO/Ag nanofiber composite (PAN/ZAO/Ag) with three functions including infrared protection (Figure 11(b)), antibacterial property, and self-cleaning was prepared by electrospinning, solvothermal, and electroless plating processes. In the thermal infrared imaging band of 8–14 µm, the infrared emissivity of the fiber was as low as 0.39, effectively blocking the target's thermal radiation.…”

Phase Change Microcapsule Composite Material with Intelligent Thermoregulation Function for Infrared Camouflage

“…They can provide guarantee for the survival of soldiers and weapons and equipment, and plays an extremely important role in the battlefield [ 25 , 26 ]. In terms of reducing infrared emissivity, it mainly includes developing new low emissivity fibers [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], modifying existing fibers [ 31 , 32 , 33 ] or coating low infrared emissivity coatings [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. In terms of temperature control, in addition to thermal insulation and structural design [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], the temperature regulating textile [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ] and infrared camouflage textile [ 45 , 46 , 47 ] are prepared by combining phase change microcapsules with textile, which can effectively reduce the infrared radiation energy of the target [ 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Low infrared emissivity composite materials for multi-band camouflage

“…Therefore, it must be processed to possess the specific infrared camouflage ability. First of all, from the perspective of textile materials, there are mainly the following methods: developing new low emissivity fibers, [10][11][12][13] modifying existing fibers, [14][15][16] and designing special structures of fabrics. [17][18][19] Secondly, considering the exterior of textile materials, other materials with infrared camouflage function can be physically arranged on the surface of the fabric, such as low infrared emissivity coating, [20][21][22][23] heat insulation and temperature control coating.…”