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Single-Step Phytate Flame-Retardant Coatings for Cotton, Polyester and Cotton/Polyester Blends
Olga Zilke1, Dennis Plohl1, Martin Ploenißen1
1Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West gGmbH, Adlerstr. 1, D-47798 Krefeld, Germany.
Polymers
|April 14, 2026
Summary
Developing durable, halogen-free flame retardants for textiles is crucial. This study introduces two phytate-based coatings, poly(vinylammonium) phytate (PVAmPA) and chitosan phytate (ChiPA), offering scalable, single-step application for enhanced textile safety.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Textile Chemistry
- Flame Retardancy
Background:
- Scalable, durable, and halogen-free flame-retardant textile finishes are challenging to develop.
- Existing solutions often lack industrial viability or laundering durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of two novel phytate flame retardants, poly(vinylammonium) phytate (PVAmPA) and chitosan phytate (ChiPA), for textile applications.
- To assess their performance on cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics using a single-step, binder-assisted coating method.
- To evaluate flame retardancy, laundering durability, and thermal decomposition characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Single-step, binder-assisted coating of cotton (CO), polyester (PET), and CO/PET blends with PVAmPA and ChiPA.
- Surface flaming tests (ISO 15025) and laundering durability assessments at 40 °C.
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for decomposition behavior and residue formation.
- Microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) to determine heat release capacity (HRC).
- Gas-phase analysis to identify decomposition products.
Main Results:
- Both PVAmPA and ChiPA coatings suppressed surface flaming on all tested fabrics.
- ChiPA showed higher wash-off than PVAmPA after laundering, with some loss of flame suppression on CO and PET.
- TGA revealed earlier decomposition and increased char residue for both treatments.
- MCC demonstrated significant reduction in HRC, with PVAmPA effective on CO/PET and ChiPA on PET.
- Gas analysis indicated water release and ammonia evolution (PVAmPA).
Conclusions:
- Binder-assisted, single-step phytate coatings offer a scalable pathway to halogen-free flame retardancy in textiles.
- PVAmPA exhibited superior overall durability and flame retardant performance.
- ChiPA provides a fully bio-based alternative with effective, albeit substrate-dependent, flame retardancy.
- These findings pave the way for more sustainable and safer textile finishes.
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