Efficient, durable, and breathable flame retardant cotton fabric via a feasible surface finishing

• Published in: Applied surface science 2023-04, Vol.615, p.156314, Article 156314
• Main Authors: Hu, Ziqiang, Ma, Yanan, Chen, Hao, Wei, Lulin, Zhu, Guocheng, Liu, Lin, Yao, Juming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Durability; Moisture permeability; Smoke suppression; Synergistic flame retardant
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.156314

[Display omitted] •P/N/Si co-modified fabric was presented via covalent bond and electrostatic assembly.•Modified cotton fabric displayed excellent flame retardancy and self-extinguishing.•Improved washing durability was acquired with LOI of 27.1% after 50 LCs.•Smoke suppression performance was significantly improved.•Mechanical properties and moisture permeability were substantially retained. Flame retardant cotton fabric has attracted extensive attention and research with the increase of public safe awareness. However, it still remained a great challenge to balance the performances of high flame retardancy, durability, mechanical strength, as well as formaldehyde-free, comfort, green and feasible process. Herein, efficient, durable and breathable flame retardant cotton fabrics were fabricated through a one-pot approach based on a synergetic system combining phytic acid (PA) with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and 3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS). The modified cotton fabrics displayed high-efficiency fire resistance, self-extinguishing and excellent washing resistance due to the formation of surface hybrid network architectures from multiple covalent bonds (SiOC, CN, POC) and electrostatic assembly. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) could retain at 27.1% after 50 laundering cycles (LCs). Moreover, the peak of heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR) and total smoke release (TSP) declined by 85.89%, 52.72% and 47.22% compared with neat fabric, indicating boosted flame retardance and excellent smoke suppression ability. In addition, the proposed surface finishing process substantially retained the mechanical properties and moisture permeability, providing a simpleand feasible approach for high-efficiency, durable and breathable flame retardant cotton fabric.