Cotton-based flame-retardant textiles: A review

Abstract

Biodegradable textiles made from cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, have gained attention from researchers, due to the ease with which cellulose can be chemically modified to introduce multifunctional groups, and because of its renewable and biodegradable nature. One of the most attractive features required for civilian and military applications of textiles is flame-retardancy. This review focuses on various methods employed for the fabrication of cellulose-based flame-retardant cotton textiles along with their developed flame-retardant properties over the last few years. The most common method is to merge N, S, P, and Si-based polymeric, non-polymeric, polymeric/non-polymeric hybrids, inorganic, and organic/inorganic hybrids with cellulose to fabricate flame-retardant cotton textiles. In these studies, cellulose was chemically bonded with the flame-retardants or in some cases, cotton textiles were coated by flame-retardants. The flame-retardant properties of the cotton textiles were investigated and determined by various methods, including the limiting oxygen index (LOI), the vertical flame test, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and by cone calorimetry. This review demonstrates the potential of cellulose-based flame-retardant textiles for various applications.

Naturally colored cotton for wearable applications

“…Currently, cotton-based textiles are chemically modified to introduce multifunctional groups, making them flame-retardant. The most common method is to merge N, S, P, and Si-based polymeric, non-polymeric, polymeric/non-polymeric hybrids, inorganic, and organic/inorganic hybrids with cellulose to fabricate flame-retardant cotton textiles ( Islam and van de Ven, 2021 ). As an eco-friendlier approach, biomass tannin and phytic acid are applied to the cotton fabric surface as a flame-retardant modification ( Nam et al., 2017 ; Yang et al., 2023 ).…”

Synthesis and Applications of Supramolecular Flame Retardants: A Review

“…However, cotton fabric is flammable. And the flame will spread rapidly after being ignited, thus causing a fire [ 97 , 98 ]. In the method of flame-retardant treatment of textiles, the most typical method is to assemble the coating layer by layer (LBL).…”

How to Address Flame-Retardant Technology on Cotton Fabrics by Using Functional Inorganic Sol–Gel Precursors and Nanofillers: Flammability Insights, Research Advances, and Sustainability Challenges

“…As reported in the scientific literature [13], the Due to these superior characteristics (i.e., fast moisture absorption, mechanical properties, breathability, softness, comfort, biodegradability, and good thermal conductivity), cotton is used extensively in clothing, bedding, furniture, and wall hangings, as well as in apparel manufacturing, home furnishings, medical textiles, and other industrial products [7]. Moreover, cotton-based textiles have been used as protective clothing for workers and, more generally, as uniforms employed in workplaces where there is a chance of accidental contact with flames [8]. However, its disadvantage is represented by the easy ignition and aptitude to burn in the air (its limiting oxygen index, LOI, is around 18%) [9] as well as the quick flammability propensity, which have restricted its application in particular fields requiring textiles with enhanced flame retardancy [10].…”

“…In this scenario, among others, organophosphorus compounds, such as tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC), hydroxyl functional organophosphorus oligomer (HFPO), as well as N-alkyl-substituted phosphono-propionamide derivatives, have been largely used on the market, dramatically increasing the number of applications for cellulose-based flame-retardant textiles [8,28].…”