Construction of super-hydrophobic, highly effective flame retardant coating for cotton fabric with superior washability and abrasion resistance

In order to meet the rapidly growing demand of multi-functional fabric, a super-hydrophobic flame retardant coating for cotton fabric with superior washability and abrasion resistance was prepared. Flame retardant finishing agent P, P-diphenyl-N-(3-(trithoxysilyl) propyl) phospinic amide (DPTES) and hydrophobic finishing agent polydimethylsiloxane@silicon dioxide (PDMS@SiO2) were fixed on the surface of cotton fabric by a simple sol-gel technology in combination with convenient brush-coating process. The coated cotton fabric was capable of self-extinguishing a flame, and the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) increased from 18.0% for the control cotton fabric to 26.0% for the treated one at weight gain of 30.3%. The water contact angle (WCA) of C3-PDMS-silica is around 154 degrees, and the slip angle is 8 degrees. In addition, the treated cotton fabric exhibits anti-washing and self-cleaning ability due to the superhydrophobic feature and superior friction resistance. The C3-PDMS-silica sample with excellent char-forming ability, as shown by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), leading to outstanding flame retardancy. A composite char layer was constituted with char residues and ceramic layer during the combustion of inorganic silicon, which plays the role of heat insulation and flame retardant. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A super-hydrophobic flame retardant coating for cotton fabric was developed, showing excellent flame retardancy, abrasion resistance, anti-washing, and self-cleaning properties. The coated cotton fabric also exhibited outstanding char-forming ability, contributing to superior flame retardancy.