Arc-shaped air layer bioinspired by ginkgo nut to resist high humidity environment for PET fabrics

Developing simple processes and significant effect modification method for polyester (PET) fabrics to resist hygrothermal aging is a formidable challenge. In this study, inspired by the silver mirror phenomenon of natural ginkgo nut, we utilized the pea pod-shaped nanoparticles that zinc oxide (ZnO) was encapsulated in polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (ZnO@POSS), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to construct stabilized arc-shaped air layer on the PET fabric surface to resist high humidity environment. The round belly structures of pea pod-shaped ZnO@POSS and interlaced physical networks assisted by PDMS on the PET fabrics surface served as the crucial roles to capture and retain air, resulting in the capacity of the arc-shaped air layer was significantly larger than other microstructures underwater. The water vapor was prevented from entering the fabric interstices that the self-catalytic hydrolysis behavior of PET macromolecular chains was efficiently restrained, and the strength retention of PET fabric was significantly improved from 45 % to 89 % after accelerated hygrothermal aging test (60 °C, 80 % RH, 600 h). This work represents a simple and effective approach to improve the durability for PET fabrics in high humidity environments.