Smart Multi-Responsive Aramid Aerogel Fiber Enabled Self-Powered Fabrics

Wearable electronics and systems with self-powered real-time response to various stimuli, such as mechanical, electrical, thermal and optical signals are eagerly desired, however still remain great challenges. Herein, smart fibers with multi-response to external stimuli are developed via wet spinning porous aramid aerogel nanofibers while utilized as three-dimensional hierarchically percolating skeleton for silver nanowires (AgNWs) interwoven MXene conductive network. The intertangled coaxial AgNWs/MXene@ aramid aerogel nanofibers heterostructure effectively avoid “trade-off” effect between multiple responsiveness and mechanical flexibility of smart fibers. Meanwhile, the hierarchically porous structure of aerogel conductive fiber induced strong capillary force and confinement to polyethylene glycol, which has a wide range of phase transition temperature and huge enthalpy to store thermal energy. After further encapsulated with transparent fluorocarbon resin, the stabilized smart fiber exhibits excellent self-cleaning property with water and oil repellent. Furthermore, the woven aerogel fabrics coupled with thermoelectric generator realized efficient reversible energy conversion and storage as well as solar-thermal-electrical power generation for all-weather electricity power supply, which could drive the operation of wearable electronics and car models without batteries, providing an efficient strategy for outdoor travel and lunar rover continuous operating. The smart aramid aerogel fibers and fabrics hold great promise for next generation self-powered wearable systems.