Super-Elastic Fluorinated Polyurethane Nanofibrous Membranes with Simultaneously Waterproof and Breathable Performance

Super-elastic mechanical property and waterproof and breathable membranes (WBMs), which could effectively stop liquid water penetration but allow water vapor to transmit, would be highly desirable to use in an extreme situation; however, manufacturing of such materials remains a major roadblock. Herein, we present a simple but effective strategy for designing WBMs using an ultrastrong and highly stretchable polyurethane-based spinnable material via the electrospinning technique. The cooperative action of non-solvent-induced phase separation and charge dissipation optimizes the nanofiber forming process to regulate the porous structure of WBMs. The resulting WBMs present multifunctional properties with an optimum water vapor transmission rate of 6.3 kg m–2 d–1, an unexpected water resistance of 93.4 kPa, a maximum loading strength of 15.3 MPa, and a rupture elongation of 257%, as well as desirable elasticity with over 67% maximum stress residue and a high elastic recovery ratio of 85% based on 1000 cyclic stretching deformations. Moreover, the nanofibrous membranes still reserve excellent breathability and waterproofness performances even though suffering from stretching, indicating a competitive candidate for extreme situations in the protection field.