By treating cotton with intumescent nanocoatings, composed of polyallyamine and polysodium phosphate, prepared via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, no ignition occurs (i.e., the fabric did not burn when exposed to direct flame).  With a 20-bilayer nanocoating, total heat release is reduced 65% compared to the uncoated fabric, with only 4 wt% added. On open-celled polyurethane foam, ten bilayers of pH 6 chitosan and pH 10 montmorillonite were deposited (~ 30 nm thick).  Only the outermost surface of the foam was charred after being exposed to direct flame from a propane torch for 10 seconds.  This work demonstrates the first intumescent and fully renewable FR treatments, made via layer-by-layer assembly, and provides environmentally benign alternatives to commonly used halogenated materials for rendering foam and fabric flame retardant.

Layer-by-layer assembly of water-based, environmentally-friendly flame retardant nanocoatings for fabric and foam

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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