Self-assembly of phosphonate-metal complex for superhydrophobic and durable flame-retardant polyester-cotton fabrics

Poor washing durability still poses a big challenge to the practical applications of flameretardant fabrics. Herein, a facile and eco- friendly dip-coating approach is proposed to fabricate durable flame-retardant and superhydrophobic polyester-cotton (PTCO) fabrics. Self-assembled depositions of diethylenetriamine penta(methylene-phosphonic acid) (DTPMP) and ferric ion (Fe3?) were applied on PTCO fabrics through coordination interaction. Owing to the intumescent effect of DTPMP-Fe3? complexes, DTPMP-Fe3?-coated fabric self-extinguished in the horizontal flame testing. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was then applied on DTPMP-Fe3? complexes to impart the flame-retardant PTCO fabrics with superhydrophobicity (water contact angle: 155.6) and self-cleaning properties. Especially, the washing durability of DTPMP-Fe3?-coated PTCO fabrics was improved by the modification of PDMS. The DT/Fe-8BL@PDMS sample still achieved selfextinguishing in the horizontal flame testing even after 12 laundering cycles. [GRAPHICS] .