Cellulose-based hybrid membrane with functional integration for personal thermal management applications

Since excessive energy was consumed to maintain indoor thermal comfort, it is of great significance to develop infrared thermal regulating materials for personal heat management. Herein, a hybrid membrane with heat dissipation was prepared via layer-by-layer assembly of exfoliated BN nanosheets (BNNS) with layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets covering the surface of the inorganic–organic hybrid cellulose membrane (ICM). Ni-Al LDH-coated ICM (Ni-Al-LDH/ICM) was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method, and then BNNS was attached to the surface of Ni-Al-LDH/ICM to form a hybrid membrane (BNNS/Ni-Al-LDH/ICM). The Ni-Al-LDH/ICM as the outer layer exhibits a high infrared emissivity (77%), which would contribute to the transmittance of infrared radiation from the human body to the environment for radiation cooling. And the BNNS inner-layer possesses an excellent infrared transmittance, which can more effectively promote the loss of human radiation. In addition, the BNNS layer also exhibits satisfactory fire resistance, air permeability and electric insulation properties, this can provide security and comfort for people's life. Thus, the BNNS/Ni-Al-LDH/ICM with functional integration has promising applications in the fields of civil, firefighting and aerospace.