A review on the state of flame-retardant cotton fabric: Mechanisms and applications

Cotton, a natural textile fiber, is widely used worldwide due to its softness, comfort, breathability, and other properties. However, the limit oxygen index value (LOI) of cotton is only approximately 18%, and it ignites easily. Once cotton fabric ignites, the flames will spread rapidly, and fire accidents caused by cotton fabric lead to substantial losses of life and property, which restrict its application fields. Therefore, it is very significant to study the application of flame retardants on cotton fabrics. Proban® and Pyrovatex® are two of the most critical commercial flame retardants. Still, the treated samples will release carcinogenic formaldehyde during the finishing and service processes, so researchers have been focused on developing formaldehyde-free, halogen-free, and durable flame retardants for cotton textiles. In this study, the mechanisms and applications of halogen, phosphorous, nitrogen, silicon, boron, inorganic hydroxide, nano, co-effective, and biological macromolecular flame retardants were discussed, and the future development of cotton-based flame retardants was introduced.