Spatial decoupling-engineered MOF-based nanofibrous membranes: in situ construction of a self-alkaline microenvironment for real-time nerve agent simulant degradation

Abstract

Chemical warfare agents pose a severe threat to human life and global security due to their extremely high toxicity, rapid lethality, and potential for mass destruction. Current protective materials relying on physical barriers and passive adsorption struggle to balance immediate protection efficacy and long-term wear comfort. To address this critical challenge, herein, we report a spatial functional decoupling design strategy for developing a sandwich-structured wearable nanofibrous membrane with active capture, in situ detoxification, and thermal-moisture comfort via a scalable synergistic electrospinning–electrospraying technique for emergency defense against nerve agent simulants. The core of this design is assigning the waterproof-breathable barrier and self-sustained alkaline-catalyzed degradation functions to distinct domains: outer layers use hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane to construct a waterproof-breathable dual barrier, while metal–organic framework nanoparticles on nanofibers enable efficient agent capture and rapid mass transfer, ensuring superior physical protection and wear comfort; the middle layer leverages the strong synergistic effect between polyethyleneimine (a non-volatile alkaline source) and metal–organic framework Lewis acid sites, achieving real-time detoxification of the nerve agent simulant DMMP with a half-life of 6.18 ± 0.2 min. Moreover, the seamlessly integrated trilayer architecture endows the membrane with outstanding mechanical properties, guaranteeing long-term durability under harsh conditions. This work provides an innovative design strategy for next-generation comfortable wearable self-decontaminating equipment.