By treating cotton with intumescent nanocoatings, composed of polyallylamine 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. When chitosan and phytic acid are used in place of polyallylamine and PSP, respectively, a fully-renewable nanocoating is produced with comparable antiflammable behavior on cotton.  This work demonstrates the first intumescent treatments made using layer-by-layer assembly and provides environmentally benign alternatives to commonly used halogenated materials for rendering fabric flame retardant.

Layer-by-layer assembly of intumescent nanocoatings for flame retardant fabric

244th National Meeting (2012)

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