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A team of researchers has completed a new study on flame retardant modification of cotton fabrics and submitted it for publication in the journal Carbohydrate Polymers. This research is currently focused on the use of nanotechnology through the use of silver nanocubes and borate polymers as a preliminary demonstration.
Advances in research focus on functional textiles with high performance and sustainable fabrics. Designed with specific goals and objectives in mind, these products have properties such as self-cleaning, superhydrophobicity, antimicrobial activity and even wrinkle recovery.
Moreover, with increasing consumer awareness, the demand for materials with low environmental impact, low energy consumption and low toxicity has also increased.
Due to the fact that it is a natural product, cotton fabric is often considered more popular than other fabrics, which makes this material more environmentally friendly. However, other benefits include its insulating properties, stability and durability, and the comfort it provides. The material is also hypoallergenic, allowing it to be used worldwide due to the reduced risk of allergic reactions, and it can be used in medical devices including bandages.
The desire to modify cotton to produce multi-functional products specifically for consumers has been the focus of researchers in recent years. In addition, advances in nanotechnology have led to this development, including modifying cotton fabrics to improve various properties, such as the use of silica nanoparticles. This has been shown to increase superhydrophobicity and result in waterproof, stain-resistant clothing that medical personnel can wear.
However, the study examined the use of nanomaterials to improve the properties of cotton fabrics, including flame retardancy.
The traditional way to give cotton fabrics fire-retardant properties is surface modification, which can include everything from coatings to grafting, the researchers say.
The team’s experimental goals are to create multifunctional cotton fabrics with the following properties: flame retardant, antibacterial, absorbing electromagnetic waves (EMW) and improving the mechanical properties of the product.
The experiment included obtaining nanoparticles by coating silver nanocubes with a borate polymer ([email protected]), which were then hybridized with chitosan; by dipping cotton fabric into a solution of nanoparticles and chitosan to obtain the desired characteristics.
The result of this combination is that cotton fabrics have good fire resistance as well as low heat generation during combustion. The stability and durability of the new multifunctional cotton fabric has been tested in abrasion and wash tests.
The level of fire resistance of the material was also tested by the vertical combustion test and the cone calorimetric test. This property can be considered the most important in terms of health and safety, and since cotton is highly flammable and completely burns out in seconds, its addition can increase the demand associated with this material.
Flame retardant materials can quickly extinguish initial flames, a highly desirable property that has been demonstrated in a new multifunctional cotton fabric developed by researchers in collaboration with [email protected]/CS Corporation. When this property was tested on the new material, the flame self-extinguished after 12 seconds of fire erosion.
Turning this research into real applications by incorporating it into denim and general wear could revolutionize clothing manufacturing. The special design of this high performance material will improve the health and safety of many people in hazardous environments. Protective clothing can be an important element in helping those on fire survive.
The study is a milestone in the field of safety, and making clothing flame retardant has the potential to save many lives. From 2010 to 2019, the 10-year fire death rate increased to 3 percent, with 3,515 deaths in 2019, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. For many people living in environments with a high risk of fire, being able to survive a fire or increase the chance of a fire through the use of fire resistant clothing can provide comfort. However, it is also useful in many industries where it can replace traditional cotton uniforms, such as medicine, the electronics industry, and even factories.
This groundbreaking research holds great promise for the future of multi-functional cotton fabrics and provides the opportunity to create a fabric with durability and anti-microbial properties that can meet the needs of consumers worldwide.
L, Xia, J, Dai, X, Wang, M, Xue, Yu, Xu, Q, Yuan, L, Dai. (2022) Simple production of multifunctional cotton fabrics from [secure email] polymer/cross-linked chitosan, carbohydrate polymer. URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861722002880
Aslam S., Hussain T., Ashraf M., Tabassum M., Rehman A., Iqbal K. and Javid A. (2019) Multifunctional finishing of cotton fabrics. Journal of Autex Research, 19(2), pp. 191-200. URL: https://doi.org/10.1515/aut-2018-0048
US Fire Department. (2022) US wildfire death toll, fire fatality rate, and fire fatality risk. [Online] Available at: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.html.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author in his personal capacity and do not necessarily reflect the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork, the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer is part of the terms of use of this website.
Marcia Khan loves research and innovation. She immersed herself in literature and new treatments through her position on the Royal Ethics Committee. Marzia holds a master’s degree in nanotechnology and regenerative medicine and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. She currently works for the NHS and participates in the Science Innovation Program.
Khan, Mazia. (December 12, 2022). The new cotton fabric has flame retardant, antibacterial and multifunctional characteristics. Azo Nano. Retrieved August 8, 2023 from https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38864.
Khan, Mazia. “The new cotton fabric has flame retardant, antibacterial and multifunctional characteristics.” Azo Nano. August 8, 2023 .
Khan, Mazia. “The new cotton fabric has flame retardant, antibacterial and multifunctional characteristics.” Azo Nano. https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38864. (As of August 8, 2023).
Khan, Mazia. 2022. New cotton fabric has flame retardant, antibacterial and multifunctional properties. AZoNano, accessed 8 August 2023, https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38864.
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Post time: Aug-09-2023