Smart Nanocomposite Nonwoven Wearable Fabrics Embedding Phase Change Materials for Highly Efficient Energy Conversion–Storage and Use as a Stretchable Conductor

Flexible and intelligent electronics are highly demanded in wearable devices and systems, but it is still challenging to fabricate conductive textiles with good stretchability, multifunctionality, and responsiveness to multistimuli. Therefore, kinds of smart conductive fabrics with high stretchability and thermal properties, good washability, excellent shape stability, rapid responsiveness to external stimuli (e.g., electrical and photonic), and outstanding energy conversion and storage properties were designed and prepared. The nonwoven smart fabrics were fabricated by electrospinning of a solution of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/lauric acid (LA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) and dip-coating conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on the obtained nanofibers. The smart textiles showed tunable temperature and phase change enthalpy that responded to external stimuli such as electrical voltage, infrared light, and sunlight. At the same time, they realized the storage and conversion of energy reversibly with a high efficiency. The elastic fabrics could also be used as a stretchable conductor in a range of deformation. The integrative functions of the smart fabrics promise them great potential in wearable systems and intelligent protective garments.