Down-Like Aerogel Flowers for Thermal Insulation Filling

The application of aerogels in textiles is limited because their poor moisture permeability and mechanical properties. Aerogel flowers with down-like structures for clothing filling are prepared by laser cutting bacterial cellulose. The nanoporous structures of the aerogels maintained excellent heat preservation performance, and the large pores between flowers provided a channel for water vapor transmission. Moreover, the rigid silica coating on the nanofiber skeletons enabled them to rebound in a timely manner after being subjected to compression. The resulting vest exhibits better thermal insulation when it is 0.8 cm thinner than the down vest. This strategy should expand the potential applications of aerogel materials in the field of personal thermal management.