Robust waterproof and self-adaptive breathable membrane with heat retention property for intelligent protective cloth

Wearable materials with properties of personal thermal management and self-adaptive breathability have attracted increasing attention due to urgent demand for energy and resources sustainable development. Particularly, ideal garment for utilizing in cold weather should be equipped with multifunctional properties, for instance, warmth, waterproofness, self-adaptive breathability, and self-cleanness. This study reported an all-around intelligent hybrid membrane based on synthesizing thermal-humid-sensitive thermoplastic polyurethane (THSPU) and blending silica aerogel particles (SAs) through a facile method. The obtained hybrid membrane exhibited robust waterproofness and self-adaptive breathability with varying humidity and temperature as well as warmth retention property. At a constant temperature of 25 ℃, by increasing relative water vapor partial pressure from 10% to 70%, water vapor transmission (WVT) increased from 140 g/m²·24h to 4400 g/m²·24h. At cool environment (5 ℃), WVT retains a low value of 1000g/m²·24h while WVT shows a significant increase to 4200 g/m²·24h at room temperature of 25 ℃. Besides, it is firstly revealed that the hybrid THSPUs membrane possesses robust hydrostatic pressure of 17,800 mmH₂O and integrated mechanical strength of 35 MPa for broken strength, 750% for broken elongation. Moreover, the obtained hybrid membrane and its laminate textile exhibit heat retention property than commercial product (Gore-Tex). It is believed that the hybrid THSPUs membrane is an effective and scalable product for personal thermal management, smart wearable application.