Layer-by-layer assembly flame-retardant and anti-dripping treatment of polyethylene terephthalate fabrics

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Layer-by-layer assembly is a simple and effective method which has been widely studied to improve the flame retardancy of textiles in recent years. In this article, flame-retardant and anti-dripping polyethylene terephthalate fabrics were successfully prepared by layer-by-layer assembly branched polyethylenimine and ammonium polyphosphate on their surface. The results of limiting oxygen index values and vertical burning test revealed that the flame retardancy and anti-dripping performance of polyethylene terephthalate fabrics were improved after the layer-by-layer assembly treatment; especially, the dripping phenomenon was eliminated when the number of branched polyethylenimine/ammonium polyphosphate bilayers was over 10. The influence of alkali treatment of polyethylene terephthalate fabrics before layer-by-layer assembly was also investigated. The results showed that alkali treatment of the polyethylene terephthalate fabrics would promote the combination of polyethylene terephthalate fabrics and the charged flame retardants indicating better flame retardancy. The results of thermogravimetric analysis revealed that layer-by-layer assembly treatment of polyethylene terephthalate fabrics would promote char formation both under the nitrogen atmosphere and under the air atmosphere which may act through condensed phase action. The scanning electron microscopy images of the char residues revealed that the layer-by-layer assembly treatment of polyethylene terephthalate fabrics would promote the formation of a compact and intact char residue, which was beneficial for the improvement of flame retardancy and anti-dripping performance. This research would provide the experimental basis for the effective flame retardancy and anti-dripping performance of polyethylene terephthalate fabric.