Fabrication of polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl alcohol–TPU with highly breathable, permeable performances for directional water transport Janus fibrous membranes by sandwich structural design

Abstract

Janus nanofibrous membranes with thin fiber diameter, small pore size, and easy-tailored wettability/thickness gradient have attracted considerable attention in the directional water transport field. However, designing textiles that ensure continuous directional water transport and outstanding moisture permeable, breathable performances has remained a great challenge. In this study, a novel polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl alcohol–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sandwich nanofibrous membrane with robust moisture permeable, breathable, and directional water transport performance is successfully fabricated with an innovation strategy combining electrospinning with structure-induced method. A good water vapor transmission rate of 9760 g/m2 d and robust breathability of 103 mm/s are obtained by turning the mass ratio of polyacrylonitrile and polyvinyl alcohol and the opening porous structure of TPU; these values are approximately five times those of commercial membranes. The sandwich fibrous membranes are suggested as promising candidates for various applications, especially in moisture-wicking clothing.