Journal of Textile Research ›› 2024, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (08): 205-214.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20231001001

• Dyeing and Finishing Engineering • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preparation and properties of flame retardant and antibacterial cotton fabrics treated by γ-urea-propyltriethoxysilane/phenylphosphonic acid

LIU Hui1,2,3,4, LI Ping1,2,3,4, ZHU Ping1,2,3,4, LIU Yun1,2,3,4()   

  1. 1. College of Textiles & Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
    2. Institute of Functional Textiles and Advanced Materials, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
    3. National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fire-Safety Materials D & A (Shandong), Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
    4. Qingdao Key Laboratory of Flame-Retardant Textile Materials, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
  • Received:2023-10-07 Revised:2024-04-29 Online:2024-08-15 Published:2024-08-21
  • Contact: LIU Yun E-mail:liuyun0215@126.com

Abstract:

Objective Cotton fabrics are extensively utilized for their softness and wearing comfort, but the flammability is a significant drawback. Reports indicate that the human casualties and financial losses caused by fires related to cotton fabrics are unimaginably high every year. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the flame-retardancy of cotton fabrics. Unfortunately, the most widely used halogen-containing flame retardants face restrictions due to the production of halogenated hydrocarbons when burned. In addition, cotton fabrics with a single flame-retardant function are no longer sufficient to meet normal application needs, and customers demand that flame-retardant cotton fabrics would also possess functions such as waterproofing, antibacterial properties, and UV resistance. Consequently, the development of additives to enhance the flame retardancy and antibacterial functions for cotton fabrics is essential.

Method γ-urea-propyltriethoxysilane (TESPR) and phenylphosphonic acid (PPOA) were utilized in the preparation of flame-retardant cotton fabrics using the sol-gel technique. The flame-retardant cotton fabrics were subsequently analyzed using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, vertical flame test, cone calorimetry test, antibacterial activities, universal material testing machine, and fabric air permeability testing.

Results The results indicated that the TESPR-PPOA coating was successfully deposited on the surface of cotton fabrics. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed that although the initial thermal degradation temperature of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics was lower compared with that of cotton fabrics, the char residues in the high-temperature zone were increased. Moreover, TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics was able to succeed a rapid self-extinguishment after the igniter was removed, with the afterflame time and the afterglow time being reduced to 0 s. Meanwhile, the damaged length of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics obtained from vertical flame test was 8.1 cm, and the limiting oxygen index reached 27.2%. Compared with that of cotton fabrics, the peak heat release rate value of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics decreased from 124 kW/m2 to 94 kW/m2, and the total heat release value decreased from 4.1 MJ/m2 to 3.6 MJ/m2. After the flame retardant treatment, smoke release was effectively mitigated. The total smoke production value of flame retardant fabrics was smaller than that of cotton fabrics. In addition, the antibacterial properties of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics against E. coli and S. aureus were 99.83% and 99.28%. However, the mechanical properties of the flame retardant cotton fabrics were deteriorated severely due to the acidity of PPOA. The warp breaking force decreased from about 308 N to 242 N in the warp directions, and the weft breaking force decreased from about 329 N to 272 N in the weft directions. Therefore, the breaking force of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics in the warp and weft directions was reduced by approximately 21.43% and 17.3% respectively compared with that of cotton fabrics. Fortunately, compared with that of cotton fabrics, the air permeability of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics decreased from about 708.8 mm/s to 583.8 mm/s, reduced by only about 17.7%. Therefore, TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics retained better air permeability compared with that of cotton fabrics.

Conclusion The results presented above demonstrate that the deposition of TESPR/PPOA can endow better flame retardant effect and better antibacterial properties to cotton fabrics, while TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics maintain better air permeability compared with that of untreated cotton fabrics. Additionally, the TESPR/PPOA coating has a certain inhibitory effect on the peak heat release rate. However, it is worth noting that the mechanical properties of these flame retardant cotton fabrics experience a certain degree of reduction in tensile strength and the study did not investigate their wash durability. In future research, further optimization of the fabrication process is necessary to minimize the impact on the mechanical properties of the cotton fabrics, and it is also important to comprehensively explore the fabric characteristics such as water wash resistance to improve efficiency and broaden its potential applications in areas such as clothing, home furnishings, and decoration.

Key words: flame retardancy, antibacterial property, cotton fabric, γ-urea-propyltriethoxysilane, phenyl-phosphonic acid, functional fabric

CLC Number: 

  • TS195.2

Fig.1

SEM images and EDX mapping images of cotton fabrics. (a) SEM images of cotton fabrics; (b) SEM images of TESPR flame retardant cotton fabrics; (c) SEM images of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics; (d) EDX mapping images of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics"

Tab.1

TG and DTG data in N2 of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

样品 T5%/
Tmax/
Rmax/
(%·min-1)
700 ℃时的
残炭量/%
原棉织物 318 355 25.2 8.8
TESPR阻燃整理棉织物 315 361 20.4 17.9
TESPR/PPOA阻燃
整理棉织物
223 288 11.8 31.6

Fig.2

TG (a) and DTG (b) curves in N2 of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing in N2"

Tab.2

TG and DTG data in air of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

样品 T5%/
第1阶段 第2阶段 700 ℃
时的残
炭量/
%
Tmax/
Rmax/
(%·
min-1)
Tmax/
Rmax/
(%·
min-1)
原棉织物 307 339 38.1 468 2.5 1.4
TESPR阻燃整
理棉织物
299 340 31.8 488 2.2 4.1
TESPR/PPOA阻
燃整理棉织物
234 283 7.7 496 2.0 4.7

Fig.3

TG (a) and DTG (b) curves in air of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

Fig.4

Digital photos and SEM images of cotton fabrics after VFT and EDX mapping images of char residues for flame retardant cotton fabrics. (a) Digital photos and SEM images of cotton fabrics after VFT; (b) Digital photos and SEM images of TESPR flame retardant cotton fabrics after VFT; (c) Digital photos and SEM images of TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics after VFT; (d) EDX mapping images of char residues for TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics"

Tab.3

Detail data of VFT and LOI test"

样品 质量增加
率/%
续燃时
间/s
阴燃时
间/s
损毁长
度/cm
LOI值/
%
原棉织物 0.0 8±2 9±3 30±0 17.8
TESPR阻燃整
理棉织物
17.4±0.5 3±2 3±4 30±0 19.4
TESPR/PPOA
阻燃整理棉织物
17.8±0.6 0 0 8.1±1.2 27.2

Fig.5

HRR curves of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

Tab.4

Detail data of MCC for cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

样品 最大热释
放速率/
(W·g-1)
到达最大
热释放速
率温度/℃
总热释放/
(kJ·g-1)
热释放
能力/
(J·(g·
K)-1)
原棉织物 263±4 375 11.1±0.3 248±16
TESPR阻燃整
理棉织物
277±2 374 10.3±0.5 252±18
TESPR/PPOA
阻燃整理棉织物
106±4 280 5.0±0.2 95±13

Fig.6

HRR (a) and THR (b) curves of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

Tab.5

Detail data of CCT for cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

样品 点燃
时间/
s
最大热
释放
速率/
(kW·
m-2)
到达最
大热释
放速率
时间/s
总热
释放/
(MJ·
m-2)
总烟产
生量/
m2
平均热
释放速
率/
(kW·
m-2)
原棉织物 19 124 45 4.1 6.3 14.5
TESPR阻燃整
理棉织物
22 99 45 4.5 0.6 16.2
TESPR/PPOA
阻燃整理棉织物
16 94 35 3.6 0.1 13.0

Fig.7

COP (a) and CO2P (b) curves of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

Fig.8

3-D FT-IR spectra of volatile products during thermal degradation of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing. (a) Cotton fabrics; (b) TESPR flame retardant cotton fabrics; (c) TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics"

Fig.9

FT-IR spectra of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing at Tmax. (a) Cotton fabrics; (b) TESPR flame retardant cotton fabrics; (c) TESPR/PPOA flame retardant cotton fabrics"

Fig.10

Antibacterial performance against S. aureus and E. coli of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

Tab.6

Breaking strength in warp and weft directions, air permeability and handle feel values of cotton fabrics before and after flame retardant finishing"

样品 断裂强力/N 透气率/
(mm·s-1)
悬垂性/
%
折皱回
复率/%
相对手
感值/%
挠度/
%
软度/
%
平滑度/
%
经向 纬向
原棉织物 308.0±19.0 329.0±21.0 708.8±11.1 15.8 75.0 0.0 32.6 62.8 49.5
TESPR阻燃整理棉织物 287.0±21.0 296.0±19.0 695.3±10.6 16.2 68.2 2.2 32.8 60.3 46.2
TESPR/PPOA阻燃整理棉织物 242.0±24.0 272.0±22.0 583.8±12.3 16.7 67.6 2.4 33.6 61.7 48.8
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