Construction of Multifunctional Flexible Materials Based on Low Infrared Emissivity Camphor Sulfonic Acid Doped Polyaniline Film

Abstract Infrared stealth technology plays an important role in modern warfare owing to the rapid development of infrared detection techniques. This research develops an easy method to coat the camphor sulfonic acid (CSA) doped polyaniline (PANI) films on flexible materials without adhesives for infrared stealth in the protection of both military equipment and soldiers. The PANI‐CSA film can keep low emissivity on different coating substrates: cotton fabrics with good moisture absorption and breathability, polyester/cotton blended fabrics with better wrinkle resistance, and aramid fabrics that are stronger and more durable. The infrared emissivity of the coated polyester/cotton, aramid, and cotton fabrics is low to 0.347, 0.349, and 0.350, respectively, which is close to the infrared emissivity of PANI‐CSA film 0.325. The coated fabrics can merge with different backgrounds, achieving the infrared stealth effect. The fastness and flexibility of the coated fabrics are also satisfactory. The coated fabrics also show excellent multifunctionality, such as fire resistance and waterproof. Infrared stealth materials need to achieve a long‐term consistency between the target object and the ambient environment in order to achieve the purpose of infrared camouflage. The PANI coated fabrics will reach to the temperature of the human body higher than ambient temperature in a short time, so to achieve long‐time infrared stealth, it is necessary to increase the thermal insulation property of the material to reduce the surface temperature. Then, the cotton nano fiber (CNF) aerogel is introduced for thermal insulation, PANI‐CSA/CNF aerogel/polyester cotton is constructed for long‐time infrared stealth.