Fabrication and characterization of the multifunctional coating composites fabrics: Waterproofing, breathability and daytime radiative cooling

Abstract The development of high‐performance protective clothing is essential for ensuring the safety and comfort of healthcare workers. Traditional protective materials often face challenges in breathability, waterproofing, and thermal management. In this study, we fabricated polylactic acid/silicon dioxide–polyvinylidene fluoride /alumina (PLA/SiO 2 –PVDF/Al 2 O 3 ) composite fabrics by coating PLA/SiO 2 microfibers with PVDF/Al 2 O 3 . The resulting composites exhibited a microfibrous structure with 82.1% porosity and fiber diameters of 10 μm, leading to enhanced air permeability (115.1 mm/s) and water vapor permeability (1686.4 g/m 2 ·24 h). The incorporation of PVDF and Al 2 O 3 improved the waterproofing properties significantly, increasing the water contact angle to 138.1° and hydrostatic pressure resistance to 2382.2 Pa. Furthermore, the radiative cooling efficiency was markedly enhanced, with a temperature reduction of 9.0°C compared to the uncoated PLA/SiO 2 microfibers, achieving 87.4% reflectance and 98.4% emissivity. These results demonstrate that the PLA/SiO 2 –PVDF/Al 2 O 3 composite fabrics, fabricated through a simple coating process, exhibit excellent breathability, waterproofing, and efficient daytime radiative cooling, making them highly suitable for protective clothing applications. Highlights The breathable polylactic acid coating composites were developed. The fabric demonstrates 82.1% porosity with 10 μm microfibers. The coated specimen demonstrates hydrophobicity, ensuring robust protection. High emissivity (98.4%) indicates efficient radiative cooling.