Flexible and MOF-808 uniformly assembled polyimide nanofiber membranes with excellent mechanical properties for rapid degradation of chemical warfare agents

Breathable and soft protective clothing with self-disinfection function is crucial for the practical application of protecting the human body from being killed by corrosive agents. Recent wars and terrorist attacks have motivated researchers to focus on efficient digestion materials as chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have been proven to efficiently digest CWAs. However, their powder form limits their application in personal protection. Uniformly and firmly anchoring Zr-MOFs onto fiber materials to form flexible protection fabrics remains a challenge. In this study, a polyimide nanofiber composite membrane loaded with MOF-808 with a cross-linked structure is prepared by combining electrospinning, thermal crosslinking, and the in-situ growth of pre-soaked Zr4+ seeds. The composite film shows excellent softness and mechanical properties with mechanical strength exceeds 20 MPa. Meanwhile, the uniform anchoring of the Zr-MOF on the fibers yields a high specific surface area (453 m2/g) of the composite membrane. In addition, the composite membrane can digest the mustard gas simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, at a digestion efficiency of 90.9%. This simple and efficient solution provides a new method for the development of breathable, flexible, self-sterilizing materials, which are expected to be applied as protective materials against chemical warfare agents, for human body protection, and in other fields.