Journal of Textile Research ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (02): 153-161.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20250704201

• Textile Engineering • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Fabrication and properties of dual-mode temperature-regulating fabrics via conjugated electrospinning

ZHANG Manqi1,2,3, SUN Yanli1,2,3(), ZHANG Xiaoru1,2,3, LI Bo1,2,3, LIU Zhe1,2,3   

  1. 1 College of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
    2 Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Materials and Products, Ministry of Education, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048
    3 Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Functional Apparel Fabrics, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
  • Received:2025-07-15 Revised:2025-12-02 Online:2026-02-15 Published:2026-04-24
  • Contact: SUN Yanli E-mail:sunyanli@xpu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To address the poor mechanical properties and unidirectional functionality of conventional radiative thermoregulatory textiles, this study developed a dual-mode fabric capable of dynamically switching between cooling and heating. This was achieved by preparing thermoregulatory nanofiber-coated yarns via conjugate electrospinning and subsequent weaving. Based on the understanding that over 50% of human body heat exchange occurs via radiation, this mechanism was strategically utilized as the main pathway for thermal regulation. The core goal was to create a scalable and user-friendly textile that enables on-demand thermal comfort through a simple physical action - flipping the fabric, aiming to provide a practical zero-energy solution for personal microclimate control.

Methods Core-sheath structured coated yarns were fabricated using conjugate electrospinning. Cotton fibers served as the core for mechanical strength and comfort. Two functional polymer solutions were used to form the sheath membrane. A polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) solution with silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles was used for radiative cooling, and a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution blended with MXene nanosheets was employed for radiative heating. The concentrations of SiO2 and MXene in the corresponding solutions were varied from 1 to 5 wt% to optimize performance. These core/sheath functional yarns were woven into a double-faced fabric with a cooling side and a heating side. The morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optical properties (solar reflectance and absorptance, 250-2 500 nm) were measured via UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Uniform dispersion of particles was verified using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thermal performance was evaluated under indoor simulated solar irradiation (1 000 W/m2) using an infrared camera and in outdoor field tests under natural sunlight (500-1 000 W/m2), with plain cotton fabric as the baseline.

Results Morphological analysis showed that the radiative cooling nanofiber-coated yarns (10% PVDF-3% SiO2) exhibited a distinct nanoparticle-structured surface, significantly enhancing light scattering. This structure achieved an average solar reflectance more than 83% via Mie scattering, effectively reducing heat gain. In contrast, the radiative heating yarns (10% PAN-2% MXene) maintained a smooth surface, with MXene providing a high solar absorptance of 0.78 for efficient light and heat absorption.Thermal performance was found obvious. In indoor tests conducted using a xenon lamp, compared to cotton fabric (47.3 ℃), the cooling side of the material achieved a temperature reduction of 3.0 ℃ (reaching 44.3 ℃), while the heating side increased the temperature by 18.6 ℃ (reaching 65.9 ℃). Outdoor tests under ambient conditions of 22-33 ℃ exhibited enhanced temperature regulation performance: the cooling side achieved a temperature reduction (ΔT) of 6.3 ℃ relative to cotton, and the heating side attained a temperature increase (ΔT) of 28.4 ℃. The core mechanism lies in the synergistic effect—SiO2 nanoparticles provide cooling via Mie scattering of sunlight, while MXene enables strong and broadband (200-2 500 nm) photothermal absorption for heating.

Conclusion In summary, a reversible dual-mode radiative thermoregulatory fabric was successfully demonstrated, fabricated via conjugate electrospinning and weaving. The fabric enables efficient, switchable cooling/heating through simple inversion, outperforming conventional textiles with substantial temperature differentials (ΔT up to 28.4 ℃). The optimized formulations, i.e. 10% PVDF-3% SiO2 nanofiber-coated yarn for cooling and 10% PAN-2% MXene nanofiber-coated yarn for heating, effectively balance processability with excellent optical and thermal performance. This technology offers a highly adaptable, scalable, and energy-free solution for advanced personal thermal management, suitable for outdoor environments.

Key words: radiation modulating fabric, radiative cooling, radiative heating, personal thermal management textiles, dual-mode temperature-regulating fabric, conjugated electrospinning, covered yarn

CLC Number: 

  • TS154

Fig.1

Preparation and structural schematics of RC-NC Yarn and RH-NC Yarn.(a) Fabrication flowchart; (b) Cross-sectional structural schematic"

Fig.2

Physical images and SEM images of RC-NC Yarn with varying SiO2 addition amounts"

Fig.3

Physical images and SEM images of RH-NC Yarn with varying MXene addition amounts"

Fig.4

Thermoregulatory performance of RC-NC Yarn and RH-NC Yarn. (a) Varying SiO2 contents;(b) Varying MXene contents"

Fig.5

FT-IR spectra of RC-NC Yarn, RH-NC Yarn, and raw materials. (a) Radiative cooling;(b) Radiative heating"

Fig.6

SEM images of surface and cross-section of optimal radiation-modulated nanofiber-coated yarn and total spectrum of element distribution"

Fig.7

Solar reflectance and infrared emissivity of uncoated yarn (without SiO2/MXene) versus optimized RC-NC Yarn and RH-NC Yarn. (a) Solar reflectance; (b) Infrared absorptance"

Fig.8

Physical images(a) and temperature comparison curves(b) of pure cotton fabric versus dual-mode thermoregulatory fabric"

Fig.9

Outdoor radiative testing setup and thermoregulation performance. (a) Photograph of testing setup; (b) Schematic of setup;(c) Temperature comparison and solar irradiance"

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