WPU/Cu2-XSe coated cotton fabrics for photothermal conversion and photochromic applications

Multifunctional cotton fabrics were fabricated by coating of anionic waterborne polyurethane (WPU)/Cu2-XSe. The surface morphology of WPU/Cu2-XSe coated cotton fabric was characterized by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The microstructural structure was further investigated through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The results indicated that WPU/Cu2-XSe nanocomposites coating was successfully deposited on cotton fabric surface. The WPU/Cu2-XSe coated cotton fabrics exhibited high photothermal conversion efficiency, and the coated fabrics were demonstrated for thermal imaging in wearable electronic devices. The coated fabrics also exhibited high photochromic efficiency. The development of multifunctional WPU/Cu2-XSe coated cotton fabrics provides novel strategies for developing smart textiles.