Application of a novel plasma-based method of introducing maleic acid and pentaerythritol phosphate urea salt onto polyester fabrics for durable flame-retardant treatment

Abstract

In this work, a novel anti-flame poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric was successfully fabricated by plasma-based technology combined with pad-dry-cure treatment finishing. Low-temperature plasma can graft maleic acid (MA) onto a PET polymer backbone, which can activate the PET fiber and provide the opportunity of reaction with pentaerythritol phosphate urea salt (PEPAS) to achieve an excellent and durable anti-flame ability. Furthermore, the chemical reaction between PET-MA and PEPAS can form a complex and compact net structure that can effectively improve the anti-dripping property of PET. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that MA and PEPAS were successfully introduced onto the surface of the PET fabric, and a compact protective carbon layer was formed during the combustion process due to the synergistic effect of phosphorus and nitrogen. The flame-retardant and anti-dripping properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and a vertical burning test. The treated samples showed the maximum LOI value of 29.3, possessing excellent thermal stability and self-extinguishing ability and inhibiting melt-dripping ability. Moreover, tensile strength at break of the treated PET fabric was slightly greater than that of the original PET fabric, indicating that this type of treatment had little negative impact on the bulk of the PET fabric. After 20 laundering cycles, the LOI value of the treated sample still remained at 26.8, which indicated durability in the flame-retarding effect.

Matrix Isolation Study of Fumaric and Maleic Acids in Solid Nitrogen

“…Fumaric acid (FA, ( E )-HOOC–CHCH–COOH, also known as trans -butenedioic acid) and maleic acid (MA, ( Z )-HOOC–CHCH–COOH, or cis -butenedioic acid) are the simplest dicarboxylic acids bearing a CC bond. Both FA and MA are naturally occurring substances , that receive applications in different areas, e.g., as corrosion inhibitors, feedstock in the production of polyester resins, − and antiscaling agents. , They are also used in the food and cosmetics industries − and in medicine. , However, the use of maleic acid as a food additive has been banned in both Europe and the USA because of its potential toxicity to the kidneys …”

Recent developments in phosphorus based flame retardant coatings for textiles: Synthesis, applications and performance

“…For a durable FR treatment of synthetic fabrics, grafting through radical formation is a very common approach especially for synthetic textiles since they lack of functional groups to derivative as in case of natural fibers. A plasma treatment based method was employed to graft a FR system to PET fabric (Scheme 23) [84]. Alkali deweighting treatment of PET was carried out before the FR treatment to allow the fabric surface to have favorable interaction with the FR compound.…”

“…Majority of new FR compounds published in the literature are from academic institutes. Though these compounds are shown to be effective as FRs, their synthetic strategy is not feasible in industry [84], their treatments lack long-term durability [68] and their preliminary toxicity data are rarely [174] provided. Even though one passes the first hurdle of developing an effective FR compound, the reproducibility of test results obtained in the lab scale and upscaling the chemistry remain.…”

Potential Applications of Nanotechnology In Functionalization of Synthetic Fibres (A Review)

“…Silicon nanoparticles [70,71]treated the synthetic fibers protect the polymeric fibers from contact with oxygen gas which then reduces the heat transfer. It was reported that [72] by layering a multilayered thin film of silica onto polyester textiles (PET), the flame retardant properties are improved.…”