Nylon-cotton textile blends (Nyco) are known to be challenging
substrates regarding their flame-retardant functionalization and its
durability. In this study, two different water-soluble flame retardants
based on cyclophosphazene together with glycerol (GlyCPZ) and thioglycerol
(ThioGlyCPZ) were synthesized enabling a waterborne finishing for
Nyco. An extensive investigation of the flame-retardant performance
and mechanism as well as the washing fastness was conducted. Thermogravimetric
analysis (TGA) indicated changed degradation mechanisms for treated
samples, which resulted in a reduced heat release capacity in microscale
combustion calorimetry (MCC) measurements and an increased char yield.
As a consequence, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) was enhanced from
20% for pure Nyco to 23% and 27.5% for GlyCPZ and ThioGlyCPZ, respectively.
Also, the standardized flammability test according to ISO 15025 was
passed. In addition, self-extinguishing characteristics were observed
even after 10 washing cycles at 80 °C confirming the durability
of the finishing. Sulfur was found to be gas phase active, as recombined
sulfur compounds were identified in pyrolysis gas chromatography mass
spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Phosphorus was mainly active in the condensed
phase, which was verified by analyses of digested burned textile samples
using inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).