Recent Advances in Ultrafine Fibrous Materials for Effective Warmth Retention

Abstract

Extremely cold environment has led to a variety of serious public health issues and posed huge burden on the social economy, which is an urgent challenge to the human worldwide. Featured with comfort, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, fibrous materials have been selected as heat insulation materials to protect the human body against the cold for centuries. The advanced ultrafine fibers, with remarkable softness, small average diameter and pore size, and high porosity, have found extensive attention, as promising candidate for application in reducing the heat loss. In this review, the heat transfer mechanisms for single fiber and fiber assembly are provided, and the typical categories of ultrafine fibrous materials for warmth retention, classified as fibrous membrane and fibrous sponge in terms of aggregate structures, are systematically summarized. In particular, this review comprehensively discusses the fabrication strategies, structure characteristics, and significant properties of various ultrafine fibrous materials. Finally, the current challenges and future development prospects of ultrafine fibrous materials for effective warmth retention are highlighted.

Graphical Abstract

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(52103023); Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(21ZR1401800); Shanghai Sailing Program(21YF1400700)