High Efficiency of Formaldehyde Removal and Anti-bacterial Capability Realized by a Multi-Scale Micro–Nano Channel Structure in Hybrid Hydrogel Coating Cross-Linked on Microfiber-Based Polyurethane

Inspired by the transpiration in the tree stem having a vertical and porous channel structure, high efficiency of formaldehyde removal is realized by the multi-scale micro–nano channel structure in a hybrid P(AAm/DA)-Ag/MgO hydrogel coating cross-linked on microfiber-based polyurethane. The present multi-scale channel structure is formed by a joint effect of directional freezing and redox polymerization as well as nanoparticles-induced porosity. Due to the large number of vertically aligned channels of micrometer size and an embedded porous structure of nanometer size, the specific surface area is significantly increased. Therefore, formaldehyde from solution can be rapidly adsorbed by the amine group in the hydrogels and efficiently degraded by the Ag/MgO nanoparticles. By only immersing in formaldehyde solution (0.2 mg mL–1) for 12 h, 83.8% formaldehyde is removed by the hybrid hydrogels with a multi-scale channel structure, which is 60.8% faster than that observed in hydrogels without any channel structure. After cross-linking the hybrid hydrogels with a multi-scale channel structure to microfiber-based polyurethane and exposing to the formaldehyde vapor atmosphere, 79.2% formaldehyde is removed in 12 h, which is again 11.2% higher than that observed in hydrogels without any channel structure. Unlike the traditional approaches to remove formaldehyde by the light catalyst, no external conditions are required in our present hybrid hydrogel coating, which is very suitable for indoor use. In addition, due to the formation of free radicals by the Ag/MgO nanoparticles, the cross-linked hybrid hydrogel coating on polyurethane synthetic leather also shows good anti-bacterial capability. 99.99% of Staphylococcus aureus can be killed on the surface. Based on the good ability to remove formaldehyde and to kill bacteria, the obtained microfiber-based polyurethane cross-linked with a hybrid hydrogel coating containing a multi-scale channel structure can be used in a broad field of applications, such as furniture and car interior parts, to simultaneously solve the indoor air pollution and hygiene problems.