Designing Waterproof and Breathable Fabric Based on Polyurethane/Silica Dioxide Web Fabricated by Electrospinning

In this research, non-fluorinated polyurethane/silica dioxide (PU/SiO) nanofibrous webs were prepared by electrospinning and hydrothermal treatment. Then the developed webs were laminated onto polyester woven fabrics to examine their practical applications in the textile area. Investigation for surface morphology, pore size, water contact angle (WCA) and hydrostatic pressure was done in detail to examine the waterproofness and breathability of the PU/SiO nanofiber webs and the laminated fabrics. The results showed that when Tetraethoxysilane concentration in electrospun solution was 6 wt%, the fibrous web exhibited the desirable morphology, mechanical properties and hydrophobicity. At this time, SiO(2)nanoparticles dispersed uniformly on and in PU nanofibers and fibers had a more uniform diameter. The composite laminated fabrics produced exhibited a value for hydrostatic pressure of 23.5 kPa with water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 5.19kg/m(2)/day.