Lightweight, multifunctional smart MXene@PET non-woven with electric/photothermal conversion, antibacterial and flame retardant properties

Flexible wearable devices combining conductive materials with traditional textiles have extensive research attention. Herein, considering the adhesive fastness and dispersibility of the conductive layer, an attempt was made to introduce chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (HACC) onto polyethylene terephthalate non-woven (PET non-woven fabrics) substrate through cation-π interactions and then loaded with conductive and well-dispersed MXene. The fabric has satisfactory electrical conductivity (1.77 × 10−2 Ω.m), fast electro-thermal conversion performance, and photothermal conversion performance (surface temperature up to 80.0 °C at a supply voltage of 4 V and light intensity of 300 mW/cm2) due to the continuous conductive network formed by the MXene-wrapped PET fibrics. In addition, the antimicrobial efficiency of the non-woven fabric against Escherichia coli (E. coli) could reach 99.99% under the synergistic effect of HACC and MXene and simulated sunlight irradiation at 300 mW/cm2. At the same time, MXene forms a dense protective layer when burned, which improves the flame retardant properties of the fabric. As a result, this intelligent non-woven fabric demonstrates limitless potential for creating adaptable wearable technology that may satisfy users' needs for a variety of uses.