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Zheng et al. Soft Sci. 2026, 6, 32 Page 11 of 57

network with large-flake GO and attaining highly orientated alignment by liquid crystal spinning. Jalili et al.
used large-flake GO with an average size of 37 μm to produce a fiber thermal conductivity of
1,435 W·m ·K -1[14] . Additional high-temperature heat treatment improves graphitization and fixes flaws. Fiber
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thermal conductivity can be raised from 607 to 1,025 W·m ·K following optimization and high-temperature
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treatment, according to research by Xin et al. . All of this indicates that the key to producing high thermal
[15]
conductivity fibers is structural ordering and crystallinity tuning.
Automation, flexibility, and multifunctional integration are the next steps in the evolution of intelligent
thermal management. By adding functional units like photothermal, adsorption, or phase-change
capabilities, graphene-based fibers exhibit special benefits. For example, Yu et al. created core-shell hydrogel
fibers coated with GO, whose GO layer demonstrates exceptional photothermal effects [Figure 4G and H],
allowing them to serve as flexible, light-controlled, localized heating sources . As shown by the
[55]
microstructure in Figure 4I, combining graphene’s highly conductive network with phase change materials
simultaneously greatly increases thermal cycling response speeds during heating. Das et al. created phase
change core-shell fibers using rGO as the thermal conduction framework . In order to achieve effective
[75]
“heat conduction-heat storage” synergy, the rGO network speeds up heat transmission within the phase
change material. As seen in Figure 4J, Hou et al. created hygroscopic graphene aerogel fibers that store and
redistribute thermal energy through enthalpy changes during water molecule adsorption/desorption,
exhibiting a unique thermal management method independent of high axial thermal conductivity .
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Interestingly, the inter-fiber contact thermal resistance represents a barrier limiting overall thermal
management efficacy when integrated into fabrics. Thus, it is essential to build a three-dimensional thermal
conduction network across various scales. By growing graphene on the surface of fiber fabrics and vertically
aligning CNTs, Liu et al. were able to create “thermal bridges” between fibers that reduced the out-of-plane
thermal resistance by more than 70% . This method offers a fresh approach to efficient fabric-level heat
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management.

The focus of research on the thermal characteristics of graphene-based fibers is now on functionalization,
integration, and systematization rather than excessive thermal conductivity. Future research is anticipated to
concentrate on two areas: (1) deepening “structure-function” integrated design by combining multiple
mechanisms such as thermal conduction, photo/electrothermal conversion, and phase change energy
storage, to develop adaptive smart thermal management textiles that dynamically respond to environmental
and human signals; and (2) further improving the intrinsic thermal conductivity of fibers through grain
boundary engineering and precise orientation control to serve high-power device heat dissipation. This
covers a wide range of applications, such as energy-efficient buildings, wearable electronics thermal
management, and customized thermal comfort.

Other performance
GFs’ density, specific surface area, and structural flexibility are important factors that determine their
appropriateness for smart textiles in addition to their mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics. In
line with the “light-weight and high-strength” design goal, GFs usually have a low density (about
1.4-1.9 g·cm ), similar to commercial carbon fibers (1.7-1.9 g·cm ). Drawing, heat treatment, or changing the
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size ratio of graphene flakes can all be used to accurately alter density . When it comes to particular surface
[15]
area, GFs show notable advantages. For instance, porous GO fibers with a specific surface area of up to
2,605 m ·g were produced by Suter et al. using controlled coagulation kinetics . Compared to fibers made
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by freeze-drying, which had a surface area of about 884 m ·g , they preserved a surface area of 2,210 m ·g -1
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after reduction. This lays the groundwork for their use in high-loading electrodes, adsorption, and catalysis.