The Potential for Bio-Sustainable Organobromine-Containing Flame Retardant Formulations for Textile Applications—A Review

Abstract

This review considers the challenge of developing sustainable organobromine flame retardants (BrFRs) and alternative synergists to the predominantly used antimony III oxide. Current BrFR efficiencies are reviewed for textile coatings and back-coatings with a focus on furnishing and similar fabrics covering underlying flammable fillings, such as flexible polyurethane foam. The difficulty of replacing them with non-halogen-containing systems is also reviewed with major disadvantages including their extreme specificity with regard to a given textile type and poor durability.The possibility of replacing currently used BrFRs for textiles structures that mimic naturally occurring organobromine-containing species is discussed, noting that of the nearly 2000 such species identified in both marine and terrestrial environments, a significant number are functionalised polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which form part of a series of little understood biosynthetic biodegradation cycles.The continued use of antimony III oxide as synergist and possible replacement by alternatives, such as the commercially available zinc stannates and the recently identified zinc tungstate, are discussed. Both are effective as synergists and smoke suppressants, but unlike Sb203, they have efficiencies dependent on BrFR chemistry and polymer matrix or textile structure. Furthermore, their effectiveness in textile coatings has yet to be more fully assessed.In conclusion, it is proposed that the future of sustainable BrFRs should be based on naturally occurring polybrominated structures developed in conjunction with non-toxic, smoke-suppressing synergists such as the zinc stannates or zinc tungstate, which have been carefully tailored for given polymeric and textile substrates.

Fire-Safe Polymer Composites: Flame-Retardant Effect of Nanofillers

“…In general, bromine- or chlorine-containing compounds are used for several halogen-based flame retardants [ 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 ]. Particularly, bromine compounds with high bromine content and low-energy carbon–bromine covalent bonds are widely used as flame retardants in both thermoplastics and thermosets.…”

Benzoxazine Monomers and Polymers Based on 3,3′-Dichloro-4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethane: Synthesis and Characterization

“…The SEM image of the char residue (Figure 14b) showed that during the burning of polybenzoxazine, a dense foam protective layer with a pore diameter from 2.3 to 60.6 µm is formed, which prevents the polymer from further burning. It is also known that halogen radicals compete for the radical species HO• and H• that are critical for flame propagation [49,50]. Thus, the higher fire resistance of polyP-q compared to polyP-d can be explained by two factors.…”

“…In an argon atmosphere, these particles are also formed, but already at higher temperatures. It is also known that halogen radicals compete for the radical species HO• and H• that are critical for flame propagation [49,50]. Thus, the higher fire resistance of polyPq compared to polyP-d can be explained by two factors.…”

Brominated flame-retardant composition in firefighter bunker gear and its thermal performance analysis

“…However, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are only effective when used together with a synergist of which antimony (III) oxide (Sb 2 O 3 ). 17 Some common BFRs include polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA). However, some BFRs were identified as persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic to both humans and the environment and were suspected of causing neurobehavioral effects and endocrine disruption.…”

“…18 The toxicological concerns around all BFRs and their use now include the synergistic antimony (III) oxide. 17 Hence, some commercial mixtures of PBDEs were banned within the European Union (EU) in August 2004. 19,20 Redfern et al, 20 however, suggest that some PBDE mixtures are still in production and widely used in other countries.…”