Novel approach towards the synthesis of carbon-based transparent highly effective flame retardant

In this article, a novel and facile method is proposed to synthesize a highly effective carbon-based water dispersible flame retardant. This is the first report of carbon-based highly potent transparent flame retardant, which keeps the colour of the cloth intact. A functionalized flame retardant graphene quantum dots (FR-GQD) as a carbon-based material was synthesized using graphene oxide and phosphorous source through a hydrothermal treatment. As prepared transparent FR-GQD solution coated cotton cloth was found to maintain cloth's original colour. In a flame test, FR-GQD coated cloth emitted little smoke initially and after that, it failed to catch fire for more than 300 s and maintained its initial shape. Whereas the control cloth caught fire and burnt completely within 15 s. Flame retardant efficiency of the FR-GQD coated cloth was confirmed by detail flame tests such as limiting oxygen index (LOI), exposure to high heat flux (similar to 50 kW/cm(2)) and turbulent premixed flame at high temperature (similar to 1400 C degrees). The strength of FR-GQD coated cloth was determined using tensile strength test. This technique of synthesis and application of this water dispersed FR material may find a general approach towards the practical and eco-friendly application of non-toxic FR-GQD as transparent flame retardant. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.