Advances in perovskite-based functional fibers and fabrics: toward smart, sustainable, and wearable technologies

Abstract

Perovskite materials have emerged as a class of multifunctional materials with exceptional optoelectronic, physical and chemical properties, which have aroused great interest in their applications in functional fibers and fabrics. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advances and emerging applications of perovskite-based fibers and fabrics, focusing on their versatility in five distinct domains such as luminescence, power generation, sensing, detection, and catalysis. This review uniquely emphasizes the integration of perovskite materials into fiber-based architectures, offering a novel perspective distinct from conventional perovskite applications. However, the scalability and practical applications of perovskite-based fibers and fabrics still face major challenges, mainly stemming from the instability of the materials under external environmental conditions such as moisture, heat, and UV radiation. Looking ahead, this review identifies several promising avenues for future research. These include the ongoing efforts to develop non-toxic perovskite alternatives, the development of hybrid perovskite systems combined with other advanced materials such as nanomaterials and conductive polymers to enhance functionality, as well as innovations in fabrication techniques to enable large-scale preparation of perovskite-based fibers and fabrics. Overall, this review provides a critical perspective on perovskite materials for multifunctional fibers and fabrics and outlines pathways toward their widespread adoption in smart textiles.