Durable Polyurethane/SiO<sub>2</sub> Nanofibrous Membranes by Electrospinning for Waterproof and Breathable Textiles
Huijia Wang, Liang Chen, Yuqing Yi, Yongjing Fu, Jie Xiong, Ni Li
Abstract
Recently, waterproof and breathable materials have attracted extensive attention and have been used in a broad range of applications such as clothing, sports equipment, medical hygiene products, and other fields. In this study, an efficient chemical modification method was suggested to prepare polyurethane/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes with superhydrophobicity and durability. A polyurethane emulsion was treated with 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. This emulsion process was combined with the emulsion electrospinning technique and a hydrothermal-assisted sol–gel process to prepare superhydrophobic polyurethane nanofibrous membranes. The final polyurethane/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes exhibited a hydrostatic pressure of 8.02 kPa, an air permeability of 3.89 mms–1, and a water vapor transmission rate of 10.12 kg m–2 d–1. Results also showed that the water contact angle of the nanofibrous membranes reached 154°, and the stress and strain were 5.3 MPa and 198%, respectively. In addition, the adhesion between SiO2 and the PU nanofibrous membranes was high, and the weight loss rate of SiO2 remained at approximately 9.72% after the ultrasonic cleaning time exceeded 24 h. These results suggested that the PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes were expected to provide a new perspective for waterproofing and moisture permeability.