A Phosphorus-Nitrogen Flame-retardant: Synthesis and Application in Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

Cotton textiles with high air permeability, good hygroscopicity and good soft-feeling due to be natural cellulose fabrics, but their high flammability greatly limit its applications; fire-retardant finishing of cotton fabrics can impart good flame retardant properties. In this research, a novel phosphorous-nitrogen flame retardant (FR), poly-(imino-4-amino- 1,3,5-triazin-2,6-imino-(3-oxopropyl)-N-phenylphosphinamido) (PCEPAM) was synthesized with 2-carboxyethyl(phenyl)phosphinic acid (CEPPA) and melamine (MA). Its structure was characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, and the thermal performance was analyzed by TGA-DSC. Cotton fabrics were treated via pad-dry-cure process with PCEPAM. The surfaces of treated fabrics and the combustion residue were characterized by SEM. The fire behavior was performed by limited oxygen index (LOI) and vertical burning test. The LOI of FR fabric is more than 28.5% after washing once. The thermal stability and surfaces of the combustion residue of the fabrics were investigated by TG and SEM, respectively. The results show that PCEPAM is not only an effective FR but also a good char-forming agent for the cotton fabric. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.24.4.18606

Keywords

• flame retardant
• cotton fabrics
• synthesis
• finishing
• fire behavior