Design and fabrication of metal-organic-framework based coatings for high fire safety and UV protection, reinforcement and electrical conductivity properties of textile fabrics

Abstract

Rational design and fabrication of multifunctional textile fabrics coatings were developed. The green coatings were facilely prepared from metal-organic-framework UiO-66 as porous crystalline framework which was easily decorated with green spherical polypyrrole nanoparticles of an average size of 165 nm and then wrapped with chitosan chains. The nanocomposites were synthesized in one-step method with the aid of cost-effective ultrasonication method to facilitate the individualization of polypyrrole nanoparticles and their decoration on UiO-66 surface. The as developed coating was then coated on cotton fabrics. The structure and crystalline structure of UiO-66 were elucidated, also the structure and morphological properties of polypyrrole nanoparticles were studied using FT-IR, XRD and SEM. The mass loadings of UiO-66 and polypyrrole nanoparticles were varied and their influence was studied. The flammability, thermal stability, mechanical properties, UV protection and electrical conductivity of coated textiles were studied. The newly developed multifunctional coating affords high flame retardancy to coated cotton fabrics achieving reduction in rate of burning by 54 % compared to uncoated sample. Significant thermal stability was attained recording 23 °C increase in temperature of maximum mass loss. Besides, the tensile strength of coated sample achieved 29 % improvement compared to uncoated one. Moreover, outstanding UV protection feature for coated cotton fabrics was obtained recording more than two-fold enhancement in ultraviolet protection factor compared to pristine sample. Interestingly, the smart coating layer fabricated on cotton fabrics impregnated the fabrics with electrical conductivity property recording electrical resistance of 2 MΩ compared to 45 MΩ for pristine fabrics. Additionally, the flame retardancy action was fully studied and elucidated.