Flame‐retardant polyacrylonitrile fabric prepared by ultraviolet‐induced grafting with glycidyl methacrylate followed by ammoniation and phosphorylation

ABSTRACT A novel flame‐retardant polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabric was successfully prepared by ultraviolet‐induced grafting polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto the surface of PAN fabric (PAN‐ g ‐GMA) followed by ammoniation and phosphorylation. The effects of irradiation time, initiator concentration, and monomer concentration on the grafting percentage were researched. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy indicated the successful modification. Thermal behaviors of the samples were studied by thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that the fire‐retardant PAN fabric (FR‐PAN) has good char‐forming ability. Cone calorimeter tests showed that the total heat release of FR‐PAN decreased from 7.3 MJ/m 2 to 4.6 MJ/m 2 with 37% reduction. At the same time, the peak of heat release rate of FR‐PAN fell from 374 kW/m 2 to 162 kW/m 2 with 57% decrease. Moreover, the total smoke production and peak of smoke production rate of FR‐PAN dropped from 1.5 m 2 and 0.06 m 2 /s for the control sample to 0.4 m 2 and 0.03 m 2 /s, respectively. The limiting oxygen index value of FR‐PAN fabric was 30.7% after 30 washing cycles, indicating good washing resistance and excellent flame‐retardant durability. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46752.