Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Muscle-inspired anisotropic aramid nanofibers thermoelectric aerogel was prepared via directional freeze-drying strategy. • Resultant anisotropic aerogel exhibited high-efficiency thermoelectric conversion with Seebeck coefficient of 46.78 μV K−1 and low thermal conductivity of 0.048 W m−1 K−1. • Thermoelectric aerogel-based multistage wireless high-temperature alarm system achieves a wide temperature sensing range (50–400 °C) and sensitivity response time (trigger time ~1.43 s) for firefighting clothing. • The anisotropic aerogel integrates thermal barrier and self-actuated temperature monitoring, offering proactive safety for firefighters under extreme conditions.
Abstract
Enhancing the firefighting protective clothing with exceptional thermal barrier and temperature sensing functions to ensure high fire safety for firefighters has long been anticipated, but it remains a major challenge. Herein, inspired by the human muscle, an anisotropic fire safety aerogel (ACMCA) with precise self-actuated temperature monitoring performance is developed by combining aramid nanofibers with eicosane/MXene to form an anisotropically oriented conductive network. By combining the two synergies of the negative temperature-dependent thermal conductive eicosane, which induces a high-temperature differential, and directionally ordered MXene that establishes a conductive network along the directional freezing direction. The resultant ACMCA exhibited remarkable thermoelectric properties, with S values reaching 46.78 μV K−1 and κ values as low as 0.048 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature. Moreover, the prepared anisotropic aerogel ACMCA exhibited electrical responsiveness to temperature variations, facilitating its application in intelligent temperature monitoring systems. The designed anisotropic aerogel ACMCA could be incorporated into the firefighting clothing as a thermal barrier layer, demonstrating a wide temperature sensing range (50–400 °C) and a rapid response time for early high-temperature alerts (~1.43 s). This work provides novel insights into the design and application of temperature-sensitive anisotropic aramid nanofibers aerogel in firefighting clothing.
1. Introduction
Firefighting clothing is essential equipment for protecting the safety of firefighters during fire rescue operations under extreme temperature conditions. The thermal protective performance of firefighting clothing primarily relies on thermal barrier layer in the multilayered fabric system, which can effectively protect firefighters from environmental thermal hazards during high heat exposure. Aerogels exhibit exceptional low density and thermal insulation performance, positioning them as the most promising candidates for high-efficiency thermal protection in firefighting clothing [1–6]. Among them, aramid nanofibers (ANFs)-based aerogel is the preferred choice for thermal barriers in firefighting clothing due to its superior thermostability and pore structure at the nano- and microscales, which significantly suppresses thermal conduction and convection within the aerogel skeleton under high radiant heat exposure [7–10]. Unfortunately, the ANFs-based insulation layer in firefighting clothing may still undergo thermal decomposition and cracking when subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures (≥400 °C), thereby endangering the safety of firefighters [11–13].
Integrating the intelligent temperature sensing function into ANFs aerogel will offer a novel solution that enables real-time monitoring and eliminates any pyrolytic damage in firefighting clothing [14]. This proactive strategy can effectively ensure personal safety by providing early warnings for firefighters before the thermal decomposition of the insulation layer in extreme fire conditions, prolonging the lifespan of firefighting clothing [15, 16]. Recent advances in temperature-responsive materials have generated significant interest in the development of temperature-sensitive aerogels for firefighting clothing. To date, the traditional high-temperature warning aerogel, which is based on thermal resistance materials, suffers from a critical flaw: its electrical signal transmission is heavily dependent on an external power source [17–19]. Therefore, this type of aerogel not only enhances the complexity of the temperature sensing system but also poses a risk of power supply failure due to long-term exposure to high-temperature conditions. By contrast, thermoelectric aerogels are considered effective temperature sensing thermal barrier layers in firefighting clothing, capable of directly converting temperature differences into electrical signals without external power.
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Zhicai Yu, Yuhang Wan, Mi Zhou, Md Hasib Mia, Siqi Huo, Lele Huang, Jie Xu, Qing Jiang, Zhenrong Zheng, Xiaodong Hu, Hualing He (2025). Muscle-Inspired Anisotropic Aramid Nanofibers Aerogel Exhibiting High-Efficiency Thermoelectric Conversion and Precise Temperature Monitoring for Firefighting Clothing. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01728-x
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main innovation of this study?
The study develops a muscle-inspired anisotropic aramid nanofibers aerogel (ACMCA) that combines high-efficiency thermoelectric conversion with precise temperature monitoring, specifically designed for firefighting clothing. It integrates eicosane/MXene to create an anisotropically oriented conductive network, enabling self-actuated temperature sensing without external power.
What are the key thermoelectric properties of the ACMCA aerogel?
The ACMCA aerogel exhibits a Seebeck coefficient of 46.78 μV K−1 and a low thermal conductivity of 0.048 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature, indicating excellent thermoelectric conversion efficiency and thermal insulation.
How does the ACMCA aerogel achieve temperature monitoring?
The aerogel responds to temperature variations through its thermoelectric effect, generating electrical signals proportional to temperature differences. This allows it to serve as a self-powered sensor, with a wide sensing range of 50–400 °C and a rapid response time of approximately 1.43 seconds for high-temperature alerts.
What are the potential applications of this aerogel beyond firefighting clothing?
While primarily designed for firefighting clothing, the ACMCA aerogel's thermoelectric and sensing capabilities could be extended to other protective gear, industrial safety equipment, and smart textiles requiring thermal management and temperature monitoring.
How is the anisotropic structure of the aerogel achieved?
The anisotropic structure is achieved through a directional freeze-drying strategy, which aligns the aramid nanofibers and MXene sheets along a specific direction, creating an oriented conductive network that enhances thermoelectric performance and thermal insulation.
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