Caseins and hydrophobins as novel green flame retardants for cotton fabrics

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 99; pp. 111 - 117
• Main Authors: Alongi, Jenny, Carletto, Riccardo Andrea, Bosco, Francesca, Carosio, Federico, Di Blasio, Alessandro, Cuttica, Fabio, Antonucci, Vincenza, Giordano, Michele, Malucelli, Giulio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Casein; Caseins; cellulose; Combustion; Combustion behaviour; Compounding ingredients; Cotton; cotton fabric; Degradation; depolymerization; Deposition; Exact sciences and technology; Fabrics; Fibers and threads; Fireproof agents; Flame retardants; Flammability; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Green flame retardants; Hydrophobins; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Proteins; Technology of polymers; thermal stability; thermogravimetry; toxicity; Green flame retardants; Flammability; Combustion behaviour; Hydrophobins; Cotton; Caseins; Plant fiber; Flame retardant; Experimental study; Thermal stability; Surface treatment; Thermal properties; Additive; Casein; Natural fiber; Animal protein; Woven material; Textile finishing
• ISSN: 0141-3910
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2013.11.016

Despite the use of toxic and not environmentally-friendly chemicals, some proteins derived from animal or microbial sources have been investigated as novel green flame retardants for cotton fabrics. In particular, phosphorus- and sulphur-rich proteins (i.e. caseins and hydrophobins) have been homogeneously deposited on cotton fabrics starting from protein aqueous suspensions/solutions. These surface treatments, based on the use of species able to favour the dehydration of cellulose instead of its depolymerization, have strongly enhanced the production of a thermally stable carbonaceous structure (char), hence significantly enhancing the flame retardancy of the fabrics, as assessed by thermogravimetry and flammability tests.