Development of flame retardant cotton fabric through grafting and post- grafting reactions

Abstract

Low energy UV radiation induced graft copolymerization of methacrylamide (MAAm) onto cotton fabric has been carried out using benzophenone as photosensitizer to introduce functionalities that can react with phosphorus containing compounds to impart flame retardancy. The flammability behaviour of the grey cotton, cotton-g-poly (MAAm) and phosphorylated cotton–g-poly(MAAm) fabrics has been studied on a manual flammability tester. Maximum percentage of grafting (116.1%) is achieved at 75min irradiation time; 176.47x10⁻² moles/L [MAAm]; 5 mL photosensitizer; and 3 mL reaction medium. The grey cotton and cotton-g-poly (MAAm) fabrics react with phosphorous trichloride and diethylphosphite to introduce phosphorous element, thus imparting flame retardancy. Phosphorylated grafted fabric shows improved flame retardant behaviour in comparison to grafted fabric, which is better than the grey fabric. All the fabric samples have been characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis and crease recovery behaviour.