Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Nanofibers with Improved Thermal Conductivity and Efficient Photothermal Response for Wearable Thermal Management

The development and research of flexible and smart textiles have garnered significant attention in recent times. The incorporation of phase change materials into stimulus-responsive nanofibers has the potential to react to external stimuli and provide a comfortable microclimate for the human body. This approach holds promise for achieving instant energy conversion and storage and temperature regulation in smart clothing. However, the production of efficient and flexible intelligent thermoregulated nanofibers remains a challenge. In this study, we successfully prepared intelligent thermoregulated nanofibers with an adjustable temperature, efficient thermal storage capacity, and excellent thermal conductivity using the emulsion electrostatic spinning method. By incorporating lauric acid as the phase change material and optimizing its addition ratio in the spinning emulsion, we obtained nanofibers with a uniform diameter and eliminated the issue of material leakage. This resulted in outstanding phase change behavior and thermal storage capacity of the nanofibers, with an enthalpy value reaching 103.13 J/g, equivalent to 72% of pure lauric acid. Furthermore, the incorporation of carbon nanotubes and zinc oxide particles into the fibers provided UV resistance and a high thermal conductivity of 0.665 W·m–1·K–1. The use of a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix ensured the flexibility of the nanofibers, with an elongation at break of approximately 25%, meeting international standards (10∼30%). Additionally, the pollution-free polydimethylsiloxane coating not only protected the internal structure of the nanofibers but also imparted superior hydrophobicity and self-cleaning properties. Consequently, these intelligent thermoregulated nanofibers, with their comprehensive performance, offer an option for the development and application of wearable systems and protective fabrics.