Multifunctional thermoregulating and water repellent cellulosic textile

Abstract

Enhancing thermal comfort in textiles can contribute to improved user well-being, both in wearable technology and everyday clothing. This study introduces thermoregulation properties by embedding a phase change material (PCM) into regenerated man-made cellulose fibers via the Ioncell® technology. Calorimetric analysis revealed that the incorporation of myristic acid as PCM enables the fibers to absorb and release thermal energy, providing dynamic thermal regulation in response to temperature changes. Specifically, the PCM-fiber containing 50% (w/w) myristic acid demonstrated a phase change melting enthalpy of 73 J/g, with a melting temperature of 54 °C. The melting enthalpy remained largely stable even after 100 thermal cycling tests, highlighting the excellent durability of the PCM-incorporated textiles. Furthermore, the resulting thermoregulating textile was treated with a hydrophobic coating composed of octadecyl succinic anhydride, resulting in an average water contact angle of 75°, after post-washing, demonstrating good water repellency. The developed fabric combines thermal regulation with water repellency through eco-friendly processes, offering a promising alternative to conventional functional textiles.