Multifunctional woven fabric for integrated solar-driven water generation and personal thermal management

• Published in: Cellulose (London) 2023-09, Vol.30 (14), p.9207-9220
• Main Authors: Du, Heng, Ge, Can, Xu, Duo, Qian, Yan, Chen, Ze, Gao, Chong, Song, Beibei, Shen, Zhuoer, Chen, Jingyu, Liu, Keshuai, Fang, Jian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioorganic Chemistry; Brittleness; Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Energy harvesting; Fresh water; Glass; Graphene; Health hazards; High altitude; Moisture effects; Natural Materials; Organic Chemistry; Original Research; Parameter modification; Photothermal conversion; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Portable equipment; Solar energy; Steam generation; Substrates; Sustainable Development; Textiles; Thermal management; Water shortages; Water supply; Woven fabrics
• ISSN: 0969-0239; 1572-882X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10570-023-05439-7

People working at high altitudes/latitudes face the problem of fresh water shortage and cold stress. Protecting workers and adventurers from health hazards in the outdoor environment with a sustainable method is highly desirable. Herein, a multifunctional fabric with integrated solar-driven steam generation and personal thermal management provides a sustainable solution to cope with water scarcity and cold stress. Graphene oxide is selected as the photothermal absorber for solar energy harvesting. Low-cost hydrophilic Tencel fiber is selected as the substrate for water supply and moisture diffusion. The robust graphene oxide-treated composite Tencel (GOT) fabric with a tunable hierarchical structure is prepared via scalable fabrication technology. The photothermal conversion, water supply, and moisture diffusion capability can be regulated by modifying the loading, spinning, and twisting parameters. The integrated textiles with whole-yarn-section photothermal ability illustrate an excellent average evaporation efficiency of 90.4% and personal thermal management. Outstanding cost-effectiveness of 222 g h −1  $ −1 and durability (20 washing cycles and 15 operation cycles) endows GOT with superior practicality. Overall, GOT fabric provides a customized solution for adventurers who need both breathable active warming clothes and portable fresh water supply devices under outdoor circumstances.