Work

Spider web-inspired strong and sough PVA-based fiber membranes with interconnected network structure for green energy applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Electrospinning hydrogel fiber membranes hold promise in flexible sensing, tissue engineering, and membrane engineering. However, improving their mechanical properties while ensuring environmental friendliness remains a major challenge. In this work, a hydrogel fiber membrane with a spider silk-inspired fiber anchored network (FAN) structure was fabricated via humidity-programming electrospinning. The inter-fiber anchoring mode of the FAN structure replicates that of spider silk to achieve enhanced mechanical performance, with a tensile strength of 5.7 MPa and a maximum elongation of 76 %. The FAN hydrogel fiber membrane has been applied in the fields of biodegradable triboelectric nanogenerators (BD-TENG) and passive daytime radiation cooling (PDRC), demonstrating excellent performance. The BD-TENG assembled using this hydrogel fiber membrane achieved a power density of 315 μW/cm 2 and maintained stable operation over 20,000 cycles. Experimental analysis indicates that the hydrogel fiber membrane, benefiting from the introduction of the FAN structure, facilitates charge generation and transmission during triboelectric charging, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the BD-TENG. In terms of PDRC, the inherent fiber structure endows the hydrogel fiber membrane with 93.78 % solar spectrum reflectance, achieving a maximum cooling effect of 14 °C at noon. The raw materials used in this study are environmentally friendly and non-toxic. The hydrogel fiber membrane exhibits good recyclability and biodegradability, which can be recycled 6 times without significant performance degradation and completely degraded naturally in soil within 50 days. This membrane synergizes high mechanical strength, efficient green energy conversion, passive energy-saving, recyclability, and eco-friendliness, offering a sustainable platform for next-generation green energy technologies.

Source: Applied Materials Today

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2026.103129

Authors: Song Xue, Wenjing Qin, Ying Bi, Yanli Wang, Shougen Yin, Daili Feng

Institutions: Tianjin University of Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,400