Biomimetic aluminum silicate fiber membrane integrating strain sensing and oil-water separation with exceptional environmental robustness

A bio-inspired monolithic design mimicking plant lignification and lotus effect achieves holistic protection. • A paradigm shift from polymers to inorganic ASF fibers enables unprecedented environmental robustness. • Synergistic dual-functionality integration of high-sensitivity strain sensing and high-flux oil-water separation. • Superhydrophobic surface enables separation and providing a self-cleaning, protective barrier for embedded sensor. Flexible electronics and membrane technologies face a fundamental challenge in harsh environments: the inherent instability of polymeric materials under thermal, chemical, and mechanical stresses. Here, we break away from conventional polymer-based designs and report a monolithic, bio-inspired multifunctional platform based on an aluminum silicate fiber (ASF) scaffold. By mimicking the holistic reinforcement of plant lignification and the persistent self-cleaning of lotus leaves, we construct a superhydrophobic conductive membrane through a rational layer-by-layer assembly. Hydroxyapatite nanowires (HAPNWs) enhance interfacial adhesion, graphene (Gr) forms a strain-sensitive three-dimensional network, and a dual-layer composite composed of polydimethylsiloxane/SiO 2 (PDMS/SiO 2 ) and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane/SiO 2 (PFDTMS/SiO 2 ) provides both bulk encapsulation and surface superhydrophobicity. This biomimetic design uniquely integrates two seemingly disparate functions into a single material: high-performance strain sensing and efficient oil-water separation. The ASF@HAPNW/Gr@PDMS-SiO 2 @PFDTMS-SiO 2 superhydrophobic conductive membrane (SHCM) exhibits outstanding sensing capabilities with a high gauge factor (GF) of 106.6, fast response/recovery (290/270 ms), and robust cyclic durability (>4000 bends). Simultaneously, it serves as a gravity-driven separation membrane with a flux exceeding 10,000 L·m −2 ·h −1 and efficiency >95% for various oils. More importantly, the inorganic–organic hybrid architecture endows the SHCM with unprecedented environmental robustness. The membrane maintains its superhydrophobicity and functional performance after exposure to 500 °C, a wide pH range (3−11), prolonged UV irradiation, and mechanical abrasion—conditions that rapidly degrade conventional polymer-based devices. This work establishes a new material design paradigm that bridges flexible sensing and environmental remediation, offering a reliable, multifunctional solution for extreme and complex scenarios. Download: Download high-res image (168KB) Download: Download full-size image