A Comparative Analysis of Nanoparticle Adsorption as Fire-Protection Approach for Fabrics

• Main Authors: Jenny Alongi, Jennifer Tata, Federico Carosio, Giuseppe Rosace, Alberto Frache, Giovanni Camino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014-12-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: nanoparticles; cotton; polyester; combustion; cone calorimeter
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/7/1/47

The present paper critically analyzes the potential for commercially available nanoparticles for enhancing the flame-retardant properties of synthetic and natural fabrics and their corresponding blends. Each nanoparticle has been applied to the fabric through a finishing-like process (namely impregnation/exhausting or, more simply, nanoparticle adsorption) in aqueous media and the resulting properties of these fabrics have been assessed in terms of combustion behavior by use of a cone calorimeter under a heat flux of 35 kW/m2. The influence of these nanoparticles on the main combustion parameters of polyester, cotton, and some of their blends has been thoroughly discussed. As a result of this discussion, a flame-retardant efficiency ranking of the nanoparticles under review has been established.