Innovative Flame Retardant and Antibacterial Fabrics Coating Based on Inorganic Nanotubes

Abstract

AbstractNovel and cost‐effective flame retardant and antibacterial textile fabrics coating was developed. Green coating was facilely synthesized using one pot method on the surface of cotton and polyacrylic textile fabrics converting them to multifunctional smart textiles. Polyaniline were polymerized in the presence of dispersed halloysite nanotubes, as the polyaniline chains were polymerized on the surface of the nanotubes which are aligned on the surface of textile fibers. Furthermore, TiO2NPs were also incorporated in the coating layer by decoration on nanotubes and textile fibers surfaces followed by wrapping with polymer chains. Additionally, polyaniline was polymerized alone on the surface of textile fabrics for comparison. The mass loading of nanotubes was varied. The flammability, mechanical and antibacterial properties of the developed coated textile fabrics were studied. The flame retardancy properties of the smart developed coated textile fabrics were improved as the rate of burning of coated textile fabrics was reduced achieved 72% reduction compared to uncoated one. The antibacterial properties were enhanced as the clear antibacterial inhibition zone was recorded 6 mm for developed coated sample compared to zero for uncoated and polyaniline coated samples. Additionally, the tensile strength of the coated samples was maintained. Furthermore, the flame retardancy mechanism of the smart developed textile fabrics was studied.