Robust Bio‐Textiles Via Mycelium‐Cellulose Interface Engineering

Abstract Textiles are foundational to modern society, yet the dominance of synthetic petroleum‐based fibers raises pressing sustainability and environmental concerns. While cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, offers a renewable alternative, its inherent hydrophilic nature limits its use in water‐resistant applications. Here, a sustainable and robust bio‐textile platform is presented, engineered through the integration of mycelium, the filamentous network of fungi, with cellulose fibers, forming a semi‐interpenetrating mycelium‐cellulose fiber (MCF) network. By leveraging the rapid growth and hydrophobic properties of aerial mycelium, this approach enables mycelial hyphae to infiltrate and adhere to the cellulose scaffold, creating strong interfaces via physical entanglement and hydrogen bonding. This synergy enhances water resistance and strength while maintaining breathability, yielding MCF textiles with contact angles up to 139° and tensile strength increases of up to 6× (nonwoven) and 56% (woven). The fabrication process is scalable and compatible with various natural fibers (cotton, jute, flax), and preserves the integrity of the cellulose scaffold, ensuring durability and versatility. The MCF textiles also show robust durability in multiple aging tests. This work demonstrates the first mycelium‐integrated textile with superior performance in water resistance and robustness, expanding the potential of eco‐friendly biomaterials in sustainable textile manufacturing.