Integrating chromic responsiveness with conventional performance toward multifunctional smart fibers for applied technologies

Abstract Stimuli-responsive wearable textiles with reversible colorimetric changes have been crucial for various applications, such as healthcare monitoring, camouflage, energy-saving building materials, and sensing. Rapid technological advancements have led to a diversity of smart wearables that feature fundamentally various reversible colorimetric mechanisms. Different reviews have discussed the recent advancements of chromic materials from unique perspectives. However, reviews focusing on the processing of stimuli-responsive materials are limited. This review surveys the recent progress in the last ten years, exploring the major classes of chromic mechanisms, including electrochromism, mechanochromism, halochromism, thermochromism, and photochromism; the materials and strategies used to develop multifunctional textiles; and the effect of chromic functions on conventional textile performance, such as washability, breathability, mechanical strength, and photostability. Sustainability of chromic fibers focused on natural chromic sources, low-energy processing, biodegradable hosts, and ecological impacts. The design strategies for each category are discussed with a focus on preparation procedures, functional materials, and advanced applications. Moreover, multistimuli-responsive chromic textiles with customizable functionalities are discussed. Challenges and perspectives on the future advancements of smart chromic wearable textiles are proposed. This comprehensive review will provide valuable insights for researchers and scientists in this field.