2D Hexagonal Boron Nitride-Coated Cotton Fabric with Self-Extinguishing Property

RS Ambekar and A Deshmukh and MY Suarez-Villagran and R Das and V Pal and S Dey and JH Miller and LD Machado and P Kumbhakar and CS Tiwary, ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 12, 45274-45280 (2020).

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c12647

Here, we report on the fabrication of flame retardant hydrophobic cotton fabrics based on the coating with two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D hBN) nanosheets. A simple one-step solution dipping process was used to coat the fabrics by taking advantage of the strong bonding between diethylenetriamine and hBN on the cotton surface. Exposure to direct flame confirmed the improvement of the flame retardant properties of the coated cotton fabrics. In turn, removal of the flame source revealed self-extinguishing properties. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that hBN hinders combustion by reducing the rate at which oxygen molecules reach the cotton surface. This time-saving and one-step approach for the fabrication of flame-retardant cotton fabrics offers significant advantages over other, less efficient production methods.

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