Eco-friendly, efficient and durable fireproof cotton fabric prepared by a feasible phytic acid grafting route

Eco-friendly, efficient fireproof cotton fabrics were prepared by a feasible chemical grafting of phytic acid (PA). The treated cotton fabrics (COTP) exhibited excellent thermal stability and flame resistance with limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 42.5%. Compared with other fireproof cotton fabrics, COTP displayed outstanding washing durability, the LOI maintained at 28.3% after 50 laundering cycles. Vertical burning test and cone calorimetry demonstrated self-extinguishing behavior and significantly improved flame retardancy of COTP. The peak heat release rate and the total heat release of COTP3-90 was notably declined by 65.5 and 71.4%, respectively. Moreover, lower smoke production and release were found with reduction in total smoke production of 12.5% and total smoke rate of 18.8% compared with untreated cotton fabric. The improved flame retardancy of COTP was speculated that PA catalyzed cellulose dehydration and carbonization to facilitate the formation of residual char, reduce the release of flammable gases and heat/mass transfer.