Superelastic and Washable Micro/Nanofibrous Sponges Based on Biomimetic Helical Fibers for Efficient Thermal Insulation

Abstract

A superelastic and washable sponge based on biomimetic spring-like helical micro/nanofibers is directly fabricated by multiple-jet electrospinning technology. The resulting sponge exhibits both lightweight (low density of 7.1 mg cm–3) and robust mechanical property (large tensile strain up to 200%). The sponge also shows efficient thermal insulation performance with low thermal conductivity (24.85 mW m–1 K–1), and remains structural stability even after cyclic washing, making it a promising candidate for personal protection in cold environments.