Eco-friendly, efficient and durable flame retardant coating for cotton fabrics using phytic acid/silane hybrid sol

Durable and green flame retardant cellulosic materials are significantly important in home and technical textile applications. This research endeavoured to the development of robust flame retardant coating for cellulosic fiber by naturally existing FR agent, phytic acid in amalgamation with (3-(2- aminoethylamino)-propyltrimethoxysilane in a facile way. A phosphorous and the silica-rich hybrid system was coated onto the fiber surface to render durable flame retardant properties that sustained up to 50 laundering cycles. SEM images revealed the establishment of a hybrid layer onto the fiber surface which formed a barrier layer against the transfer of fire. LOI (limited oxygen index value) of the coated fabric reached 31 % showing stupendous flame retardancy. Thermal decay of coated fabric was 41.9 % and 30 % less at 600 °C for coated fabric before and after 50 consecutive washing cycles, respectively. The developed fabric represents significant potential in practical applications by achieving efficient fire safety through the exploitation of environmentally benevolent chemicals and comparatively limited processing steps, hence making this suitable to be adaptable on large scale.