Abstract
Flame retardancy is often required in various textile applications. Halogenated flame retardants (FR) are commonly used since they have good FR performance. Several of these components are listed under REACH. Halogen-free FR compounds have been developed as alternatives. So far, not many biobased FR have made it to the market and are being applied in the textile sector, leaving great opportunities since biobased products are experiencing a renaissance. In this study, renewable FR based on sorbitol and isosorbide were synthesised. The reaction was performed in the melt. The resulting biobased FR were characterised via FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Cotton fabrics functionalized with the developed biobased FR passed ISO 15025 FR test. After washing, the FR properties of the fabrics decreased (longer afterflame and afterglow time) but still complied with ISO 15025, indicating the biobased FR were semi-permanent. The amount of residue of modified sorbitol and isosorbide measured at 600 °C in air was 31% and 27%, respectively. Cotton treated with biobased modified FR showed no ignition during cone calorimetry experiments, indicating a flame retardancy. Furthermore, a charring of the FR containing samples was observed by means of cone calorimetry and TGA measurements.
Highlights
Textiles are often finished with water/oil repellent, antimicrobials and flame retardants (FR) products.Alternative processes and products are explored to lower the environmental impact of textile finishing
This paper aims at studying the solvent-free synthesis of nitrogen and phosphorus modified sorbitol and isosorbide using nontoxic raw materials
The biobased FR were characterised via FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
Summary
Textiles are often finished with water/oil repellent, antimicrobials and FR products. Alternative processes and products are explored to lower the environmental impact of textile finishing. Much current research focuses on green and environmentally friendly antimicrobial products [1,2]. Relating to the upcoming REACH regulation, alternative repellent products are examined to replace fluorocarbons, which are proven to be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, by looking to different chemistry or study the structure of fabrics [3,4]. Legal regulations and the green awareness of consumers are major drivers to investigate alternative, environmentally friendly and non-toxic FR. Antimony trioxide is suspected to cause cancer and several halogenated FR (e.g., decabromodiphenyl oxide) are subject of regulation due to their persistent and bioaccumulative properties [8,9]. The environmental fate or adequate processing of halogens at the end of life is still challenging
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