Multifunctional PAN/Al–ZnO/Ag Nanofibers for Infrared Stealth, Self-Cleaning, and Antibacterial Applications

With the development of modern infrared detection systems, military targets are more easily exposed, leading to the increasing risk of high-value targets being detected. Thus, stealth materials are highly desired to protect these targets. Additionally, stealth materials should expand their application scenarios to meet the growing performance requirements of military equipment. In this work, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Al–ZnO/Ag nanofiber composite (PAN/ZAO/Ag) with three functions including infrared protection, antibacterial property, and self-cleaning was prepared by electrospinning, solvothermal, and electroless plating processes. The Schottky junction was formed due to the direct contact between ZAO nanosheets and Ag nanoparticles, leading the materials to possess the characteristic of plasmon resonance absorption of near-infrared light. In the thermal infrared imaging band of 8–14 μm, the infrared emissivity of the fiber was as low as 0.39, effectively blocking the target's thermal radiation. The composite membranes also achieved self-cleaning effect and synergistic antibacterial effect, with the maximum contact angle of 131.5° for water and 100% of antibacterial rate. In summary, this study provided a possibility for multifunctional infrared protective clothing materials to deal with the complex battlefield environment.