Issue 3/2019 - New single-guide wet fiber membrane enhances the wearing experience

In recent years, there has been an increasing
demand for moisture-absorbing and quick-drying textile materials with a single moisture conduction function.
The preparation process of existing single-conductor wet fabrics is relatively complex, and at the same time, the specific surface area of traditional fibers is small, and the exported water cannot evaporate quickly, resulting in poor
wearing comfort.

Academician Yu Jianyong and researcher Ding Bin of the Textile Science and Technology Innovation Center of Donghua University led the nanofiber research team to prepare the biomimetic porous Murray single-conductive wet fiber membrane
by electrospinning technology by constructing a tree-like bifurcation network and surface energy gradient.
Among them, the biomimetic tree-like multi-level bifurcation network integrates the multi-level connected pores of macropores-micro-micron pores, and has a multi-stage bifurcation structure similar to the plant transpiration effect, following the principle of maximizing material transport according
to Murray's law.
The prepared membrane has both self-driving reversible gravity water conduction, rapid moisture absorption and release and excellent inner layer quick-drying performance, which is expected to replace the existing commercial moisture-absorbing and quick-drying fabrics and realize its wide application
in high-end functional clothing and medical and health materials.

The researchers said that the multi-stage wetting structure of micro- and nanofiber membrane materials will be further optimized, the directional transport mechanism of water in the pores of the fiber membrane will be revealed, and the application
of the material in the field of functional textiles such as field military uniforms, wound dressings, surgical gowns, and diapers will be expanded.