Synthesis of Zinc Fluoroborate by Wet Method and Its Application as a Flame Retardant for Cotton Fabrics

Abstract

In this study, zinc fluoroborate was synthesized by wet method using fluoroboric acid and zinc oxide as reactant and its usability as flame retardant for cotton fabrics was investigated. The wet method is economical, green, efficient and applicable for a large-scale. The maximum yield was determined related to the variation of reactant ratio, temperature, reaction period and stirrer rate. The characterization of the product was carried out by means of FTIR, BF4- ion selective electrode and XRD. The maximum yield of 97% was achieved at the reactant mole ratio (nZnO/nHBF4) of 1:3, temperature of 90 °C and reaction period of 90 minutes. The purity of the synthesized product was found as 98 %. Flame retardancy and high temperature resistance effects of zinc fluoroborate on cotton fabrics were investigated by LOI test and high temperature durability test method, respectively. Although LOI value of the untreated original fabric was determined as 16, this value increased above 55 by impregnating of fabric with 50 % zinc fluoroborate solution.