Calcium Borate Particles: Synthesis and Application on the Cotton Fabric as an Emerging Fire Retardant

ABSTRACT

In this study, environmentally benign calcium borate particles (sub-micron size) were synthesized by co-precipitation method and applied on cotton fabric to impart flame retardant property. Synthesized particles were characterized in details to analyze the particle size distribution, crystal structural and chemical constituents. Henceforth, the prepared calcium borate particles were integrated into cotton fabric by following a suitable process condition. Flame retardant efficacy of the treated fabric was analyzed by using vertical flame test and by measuring the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone-calorimetry parameters. Besides, particle add-on % on the treated cotton fabric was also optimized (trade-off between efficacy and physiological handle). Optimized concentration of calcium borate particles treated cotton substrate showed a LOI value of around 29 (control cotton fabric having LOI value of 18) and a significant decrease (75% lower as compared to the virgin cotton fabric) in peak heat release rate. Further, thermo-gravimetric analysis and char morphology of control vs. treated substrate were compared to understand the pyrolysis path and carbonaceous structure of cotton substrate, respectively.

摘要

采用共沉淀法制备了环境友好的亚微米级硼酸钙粒子，并将其应用于棉织物上，研究了其阻燃性能. 对合成的粒子进行了详细的表征，分析了粒子的粒径分布、晶体结构和化学成分. 此后，通过遵循合适的工艺条件，将制备的硼酸钙颗粒整合到棉织物中. 采用垂直燃烧试验、极限氧指数（LOI）和锥形量热仪等测试方法，对处理后织物的阻燃效果进行了分析. 此外，还对处理后棉织物的颗粒添加量进行了优化（在功效和生理手感之间进行了权衡）. 经硼酸钙粒子处理的棉花基质的最佳浓度显示LOI值约为29（对照棉织物的LOI值为18），并且峰值热释放速率显著降低（与原始棉织物相比降低75%）. 此外，热重分析和煤焦形态的控制和处理基板进行了比较，以了解热解路径和碳质结构的棉花基板，分别.

KEYWORDS:

• Calcium borate
• cotton fabric
• cone calorimeter
• flame retardant
• particle synthesis
• thermo-gravimetric analysis

关键词:

• 硼酸钙
• 棉织物
• 锥形量热计
• 阻燃剂
• 粒子合成
• 热重分析

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (File No. DST/TDT/SHRI-08/2018) for funding the research project under ‘Science and Heritage Research Initiative’ (SHRI) scheme.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India [File No. DST/TDT/SHRI-08/2018].