Electrospinning of Fluorine-Free Waterproof–Breathable Nanofiber Membranes with Thermal Regulation for Anticounterfeiting

Abstract

Waterproof and breathable membranes (WBMs) have gained significant attention as versatile functional materials. However, developing a fluorine-free WBM with waterproofness, breathability, and thermo-regulation performance using a straightforward strategy remains a significant challenge. Direct electrospinning was used to fabricate fluorine-free silicon-based polyurethane/graphene quantum dots/stearic acid (SiPU/GQDs/SA) nanofiber membranes. SA, a phase change material with low surface energy, imparts the nanofiber membrane enhanced hydrophobicity and thermo-regulation performance. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) further increased the phase transition enthalpy of the SiPU/GQDs/SA nanofiber membranes. The resulting SiPU/GQDs/SA-20 WBM demonstrates exceptional water resistance (hydrostatic pressure, 67.8 kPa), good breathability (water vapor transmission (WVT) rate, 5166 g m–2 d–1), remarkable tensile strength (tensile stress, 5.95 MPa), stable thermo-regulation performance (phase transition latent heat, 29.57 J/g), and outstanding anticounterfeiting performance. This fluorine-free, highly protective, and comfortable WBM offers extensive application prospects in fields such as outdoor textiles and electronic devices.