biostudies-literatureTsai THNational Science and Technology Councile2505120https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12366270biostudies-literatureUnknown21(32)Self-healing fabrics have attracted increasing attention as a sustainable solution to extend fabric lifespan and reduce material waste. However, most reported self-healing fabrics rely on extrinsic systems with limited healing cycles, or intrinsic polymers that compromise breathability due to irreversible layer adhesion. In this work, a simple and scalable dip-coating method is reported to fabricate intrinsically self-healing fabrics that retain their porous structure and air permeability. Commercial fabrics are coated with surface-modified silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and a polymeric ionic gel (PIG) composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and ionic liquid ([EMI]⁺[TFSI]^-). The SiNPs enhance coating durability and hydrophobicity, while the PIG enables intrinsic self-healing via ion-dipole interactions. The resulting fabrics exhibit rapid and repeatable self-healing at room temperature, even underwater, while maintaining breathability and repellency to various liquids. Furthermore, the PIG solution can be applied as a reversible adhesive or touch fastener, highlighting its multifunctionality. This study provides a versatile platform for the development of smart textiles with enhanced durability, self-healing, and customizable adhesion properties.Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)Achieving Intrinsically Self-Healing Fabrics with Breathability, Surface Self-Repairing, and Underwater Adhesion via Nanoparticle-Polymer Gel Synergistic Coatings.PMC12366270NSTC 113-2628-E-A49-006NSTC 113‐2628‐E‐A49‐006Tsai THLo TYChang CWChen JTFan YCHsu HHLin YCLee LRLin HWTseng YHHsu YSWei RYLin JManibalan KfalseAchieving Intrinsically Self-Healing Fabrics with Breathability, Surface Self-Repairing, and Underwater Adhesion via Nanoparticle-Polymer Gel Synergistic Coatings.Self-healing fabrics have attracted increasing attention as a sustainable solution to extend fabric lifespan and reduce material waste. However, most reported self-healing fabrics rely on extrinsic systems with limited healing cycles, or intrinsic polymers that compromise breathability due to irreversible layer adhesion. In this work, a simple and scalable dip-coating method is reported to fabricate intrinsically self-healing fabrics that retain their porous structure and air permeability. Commercial fabrics are coated with surface-modified silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and a polymeric ionic gel (PIG) composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and ionic liquid ([EMI]⁺[TFSI]^-). The SiNPs enhance coating durability and hydrophobicity, while the PIG enables intrinsic self-healing via ion-dipole interactions. The resulting fabrics exhibit rapid and repeatable self-healing at room temperature, even underwater, while maintaining breathability and repellency to various liquids. Furthermore, the PIG solution can be applied as a reversible adhesive or touch fastener, highlighting its multifunctionality. This study provides a versatile platform for the development of smart textiles with enhanced durability, self-healing, and customizable adhesion properties.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-05-05T12:31:55.434Z2026-04-07T21:41:42.361ZS-EPMC123662704052854610.1002/smll.202505120