Starch-Based Layer by Layer Assembly: Efficient and Sustainable Approach to Cotton Fire Protection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Chemistry
• Sustainable Polymers

Background:

• Cotton fabrics are flammable, posing fire risks.
• Developing effective, eco-friendly flame retardants for textiles is crucial.
• Starch offers a renewable and biodegradable base for functional coatings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate starch-based bio-coatings for enhanced cotton fire protection.
• To evaluate the coating's efficiency on cotton fabrics with varying densities.
• To understand the mechanisms behind the flame-retardant properties.

Main Methods:

• Layer-by-layer assembly of starch-based coatings.
• Application on cotton fabrics of different densities (100, 200, 400 g/m²).
• Flammability tests (self-extinguishing) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA).
• Cone calorimetry to assess heat release reduction.

Main Results:

• Homogeneous coatings achieved with few deposition steps.
• Enhanced char formation, nearly doubling stable organic residue.
• Self-extinguishing capability with <5% weight coating after 2 bilayers.
• Significant reduction (up to 40%) in total heat release.

Conclusions:

• Starch-based bio-coatings provide efficient and sustainable flame retardancy for cotton.
• The coating's effectiveness is maintained across different fabric densities.
• The bio-coating significantly improves cellulose's char-forming ability, reducing combustion hazards.