How to Address Flame-Retardant Technology on Cotton Fabrics by Using Functional Inorganic Sol–Gel Precursors and Nanofillers: Flammability Insights, Research Advances, and Sustainability Challenges

Abstract

Over the past decade, inorganic fillers and sol–gel-based flame-retardant technologies for textile treatments have gained increasing research interest as useful alternatives to hazardous chemicals previously employed in textile coating and finishing. This review presents the current state of the art of inorganic flame-retardant technology for cotton fabrics to scientists and researchers. Combustion mechanism and flammability, as well as the thermal behavior of neat cotton samples, are first introduced. The main section is focused on assessing the effect of inorganic and sol–gel-based systems on the final flame-retardant properties of cotton fabrics, emphasizing their fire safety characteristics. When compared to organic flame-retardant solutions, inorganic functional fillers have been shown to be more environmentally friendly and pollution-free since they do not emit compounds that are hazardous to ecosystems and humans when burned. Finally, some perspectives and recent advanced research addressing the potential synergism derived from the use of inorganic flame retardants with other environmentally suitable molecules toward a sustainable flame-retardant technological approach are reviewed.

Nanocellulose in Textiles: A Potential Resource for Sustainable Textile Manufacturing

“…The fire resistance qualities of the fibre networks were assessed via the use of a cone calorimeter and a singleflame source test [58]. [62].…”

Influence of Thiol-Functionalized Polysilsesquioxane/Phosphorus Flame-Retardant Blends on the Flammability and Thermal, Mechanical, and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emission Properties of Epoxy Resins

“…Therefore, for most applications, EPs need to be modified by adding flame retardants [ 16 ]. Flame retardants include inorganic materials like metal hydrates [ 17 ], halogen-based materials containing bromine or chlorine [ 18 ], phosphorus-based materials centered on phosphoric acid esters [ 19 ], and nitrogen-based materials, like melamine cyanurate [ 20 ]. Recent developments include biomaterial wood composites that exhibit flame retardancy and biomimetic properties [ 21 ].…”

Nanostructured Flame-Retardant Layer-by-Layer Architectures for Cotton Fabrics: The Current State of the Art and Perspectives

“…Among the different developed strategies for enhancing the flame retardancy of textiles (namely, plasma-aided treatments [15,16], nanoparticle absorption [17,18], sol-gel processes [19,20], and back-coating [21,22]), the layer-by-layer strategy is definitively emerg-ing as one of the most effective and promising top-down techniques, also considering the possibility of conferring multifunctional features to various types of polymeric substrates.…”

“…processes [19,20], and back-coating [21,22]), the layer-by-layer strategy is definitively emerging as one of the most effective and promising top-down techniques, also considering the possibility of conferring multifunctional features to various types of polymeric substrates.…”