Synergistic Material-Structure Engineering for Mid-Infrared Thermal Management in Textiles.

Abstract

Mid-infrared (MIR) thermal management textiles offer a promising solution for optimizing heat exchange between the human body and the environment, as over 90% of human thermal radiation falls within this spectral range. Unlike conventional thermal management textiles that rely on low thermal conductivity materials, reflective coatings, or radiative cooling layers, MIR textiles achieve passive thermal regulation through selective spectral control. However, current research largely focuses on performance optimization while lacking a systematic investigation from both material and structural perspectives. This review explores the interplay between material composition and structural design in MIR textiles, emphasizing their impact on MIR reflection, absorption, and transmission, as well as multi-scale heat transport behaviors. It categorizes MIR-responsive fiber materials into inorganic fibers, polymer-based fibers, and composite fibers, discussing their structural characteristics and thermal functionalities. Additionally, it analyzes key structural strategies such as layered optical structures, surface functional finishing, and woven structural design for enhancing spectral selectivity and optimizing heat transfer pathways. By establishing a materials-structure synergistic approach, this review provides a comprehensive framework for designing next-generation MIR thermal management textiles with applications in smart wearables, energy-efficient clothing, and sustainable thermal regulation technologies.