Opportunity
Traditional electrospun membranes primarily offer waterproof and moisture-permeable properties, limiting their use to applications like the inner layers of outdoor jackets. However, these conventional membranes are insufficient for increasingly demanding consumer needs and broader application scenarios, especially in extreme environments. They often lack additional protective functionalities such as anti-icing, resistance to hot/ice water, dust prevention, and flame retardancy. As applications expand into harsher conditions involving extreme cold, heat, wind, and dust, there is a significant market opportunity and practical need for a versatile protective membrane that integrates multiple advanced properties. The existing problem is the limited performance spectrum of standard electrospun membranes, which cannot provide comprehensive protection against diverse environmental challenges simultaneously. This patent addresses the gap by developing a multifunctional membrane suitable for extreme conditions, thereby expanding potential use cases beyond traditional textiles.
Technology
This patent innovates by developing a multifunctional protective membrane through a synergistic electrospinning and electrospraying technique. The core technology involves the simultaneous electrospinning of a polymer solution and electrospraying of a functional coating solution to create a unified membrane with embedded properties. The electrospraying solution is formulated with flame retardants (e.g., magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, zinc oxide), superhydrophobic nanoparticles (e.g., carbon black), and specific polymers like polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dispersed in a solvent. The electrospinning solution uses various polymer particles (e.g., polyurethane, PVDF, polyvinyl alcohol) dissolved in a second solvent. Using a dual-nozzle electrospinning apparatus, both solutions are processed concurrently under high voltage (15-26 kV), with controlled injection speeds and receiving distances. This one-step fabrication method integrates the functional components throughout the membrane's structure, creating a nanofibrous membrane with inherent and uniform superhydrophobicity, flame retardancy, and anti-icing properties. The innovation lies in the combined process and specific formulation, which ensures the membrane maintains excellent water repellency, self-cleaning ability, and thermal stability across extreme temperatures while being mechanically robust and cost-effective to produce.
Advantages
- The synergistic electrospraying and electrospinning process constructs a nanofibrous membrane with uniform internal and external superhydrophobic structure.
- One-step preparation method is cost-effective, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.
- The membrane exhibits a broader range of protective functions, including water repellency, resistance to cold/hot water, self-cleaning, anti-icing, and flame retardancy.
- The preparation method has strong universality, controllability, and feasibility, applicable to various electrospinnable polymers.
- Enhanced mechanical stability and durability compared to membranes made by alternative mixing or coating methods.
- Maintains performance stability after exposure to harsh conditions like ice water and hot water baths.
Applications
- Outdoor and performance apparel, such as waterproof jackets and shell jackets.
- Protective clothing for firefighters and other hazardous environment workers.
- Waterproof rainwear and gear.
- Potential applications in filtration, medical textiles, or other areas requiring multi-barrier protection.
