Bifunctional modification of cotton fabrics treated with a novel polysiloxane-based polymer: Flame-retardant and hydrophobic properties

Single-function textile auxiliaries are gradually unable to meet the requirements of the consumer market. Here, a novel polysiloxane-based polymer (HSCP) toward flame-retardant and hydrophobic bifunctional modification of cotton fabrics was synthesized using hydrogen-containing silicone oil and 3-(Dimethylphosphono)-N-methylolpropionamide as raw materials. The results of the Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) confirmed that HSCP was processed to surface of cotton fabrics. For all treated cotton fabrics, their limiting oxygen index (LOI) values and damage lengths after the vertical burning test showed different degrees of increase and decrease, respectively, in terms of flame retardancy. Thermogravimetric (TG) and cone calorimetry tests showed that the thermal degradation process and combustion pathway of all treated cotton fabrics were significantly changed in comparison to the previous state. Moreover, the water contact angle test of cotton fabrics before and after treatment indicated that HSCP was also equipped with hydrophobic property. It was found that the water contact angles of cotton fabrics treated with 250 g/L, 350 g/L and 450 g/L of HSCP were enhanced to 140°, 150° and 158°, respectively. Overall, the analysis of these results identifies that HSCP has both flame retardant and hydrophobic functions on cotton fabrics.