Phytic acid-induced durable fire-proof and hydrophobic complex coating for versatile cotton fabrics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Developing multifunctional textiles is crucial for meeting advanced industrial and safety demands.
• Cotton fabrics require enhanced properties like flame retardancy and hydrophobicity for broader applications.
• Existing treatments often lack durability or environmental friendliness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a durable, flame-retardant, and hydrophobic coating for cotton fabrics.
• To investigate the flame-retardant and oil-water separation capabilities of the modified fabric.
• To understand the underlying flame-retardant mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Grafting a phytic acid-induced coating containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and silicon (Si) onto cotton fabric.
• Utilizing a facile step-by-step immersion method for coating application.
• Conducting limiting oxygen index, vertical flammability, cone calorimetry, and oil-water separation tests.

Main Results:

• The modified fabric achieved a limiting oxygen index of 31.2%, remaining self-extinguishing after 50 laundering cycles.
• A water contact angle of 126.1° indicated significant hydrophobicity.
• Cone calorimetry showed no ignition at 35 kW/m² and a 43.2% reduction in peak heat release rate at 50 kW/m².
• Oil-water separation efficiency reached 97.1% and remained stable around 96% after 10 cycles.

Conclusions:

• The developed N, P, and Si-containing coating imparts excellent flame retardancy and hydrophobicity to cotton fabrics.
• The coating exhibits a dual flame-retardant mechanism acting in both gaseous and condensed phases.
• The modified cotton fabrics are highly effective and reusable for oil-water separation, demonstrating significant multifunctional potential.