A flexible high-efficiency approach to preparing a durable flame-retardant cellulosic fabric as well as the research of the property

Abstract

This research aims to develop a durable and formaldehyde-free flame retardant treatment for cotton fabrics. Phosphorous acid (PA) is employed in conjunction with urea and guanidine carbonate to chemically bond the flame retardant to the cellulose fibers of the fabric. The treated fabrics are evaluated for their flame resistance, comfort, breathability, aesthetics, fire performance, carbon residue, limiting oxygen index, thermal stability, combustion behavior, and fabric properties. The results demonstrate successful grafting of PA onto cotton fabrics, leading to enhanced flame resistance while maintaining the desired fabric characteristics. The treated fabrics exhibit improved fire performance with increased carbon residue from 4.03% to 28.19% and higher LOI values from 18.0% to 43.5%. Moreover, the thermal stability of the fabric is enhanced, resulting in altered combustion behavior characterized by reduced the total heat release from 11.1 kJ/g to 0.1 kJ/g. Importantly, the flame-retardant treatment does not significantly impact the wettability or stiffness of the fabric. This study presents a simple and effective approach to produce highly efficient fire-resistant cotton fabrics, holding promise for various applications where fire safety is a concern.