Multifunctional, strongly hydrophobic and flame-retarded cotton fabrics modified with flame retardant agents and silicon compounds

In this study flame-retarded cotton fabrics that have also strongly hydrophobic properties were produced. A two-step modification process has been used. In the first step guanidine carbonate and/or ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were immobilized in aminopropyltriethoxysilane using the sol-gel process and in the second step the modified fabrics were impregnated in a hydrophobizing composition (based on fluorofunctional silane or polysiloxane) by the bath method. The modified fabrics were characterized using SEM-EDS and FT-IR techniques. The flammability of fabrics was assessed by measuring heat release rate using a pyrolysis-combustion flow microcalorimeter, determining the limiting oxygen index and determining of ease of ignition of vertically oriented specimens. Thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetry, whereas hydrophobicity was determined by measuring the water contact angle. As a result of the performed modifications, multifunctional fabrics with a considerably reduced flammability, increased thermal stability and high hydrophobicity were obtained.