Flame-retardant cotton fabrics modified with phosphoramidate derivative via electron beam irradiation process

In this study, a novel flame-retardant diethyl methacryloylphosphoramidate containing phosphorus and nitrogen was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance. The synthesized compound was grafted onto cotton fabrics using electron beam irradiation and pad dry cure processes. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the surfaces of the modified cotton fabrics to confirm that diethyl methacryloylphosphoramidate was grafted on cotton fabrics successfully. Both electron beam–cotton and pad dry cure–cotton exhibited efficient flame retardancy which was proved by limiting oxygen index and vertical flammability test. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed that both electron beam-cotton and pad dry cure–cotton degraded at lower temperature and produced higher yields at 600℃. The tensile loss of electron beam–cotton was lower than that of pad dry cure–cotton, and within the acceptable range in flame retardant finishing.