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M. Yusuf
often initiated from the burning of the textile materials which subsequently results
in burns and even loss of human life, causing serious damage to furniture, carpets,
upholstery, buildings, properties, etc. [1, 2]. Thus, flame retardant (FR) finishing of
textile substrates is extremely necessary for many applications for the prevention of
fire and for protection of human life. Most of the polymeric materials such as cellulosics, wool, nylon, polyesters, polyurathanes possess higher flammability [3], and
therefore, required high performance flame retardant finishes to overcome flammable
aspects.
FRs provide fire resistance ability to the textiles through the heat absorbing, the
covering effect, inhibition of chain reaction and gas dilution phase [4]. In general,
there are many chemical treatments that are commonly employed to impart flame
retardant finish for textile/polymeric materials. Main six categories of FRs are highly
discussed and accepted, for example; halogenated, formaldehyde-based, P-based, Nbased, Si-based and other mixed formulations [5]. However, the purpose of FR finishes is to reduce the amount of heat that is supplied to the polymer system to be below
the level for flame stability [6]. Halogenated, phosphorus and formaldehydes based
compounds such as Proban, THPC-TMM (Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium
chloride-Trimethylolmelamine) and Pyrovatex CP, have been widely employed as
the commonest FRs to impart durable fire-resistant ability to the cotton substrates
[3–7].
In early 1990s serious environmental concerns have been noticed concerning halogenated FRs, especially brominated flame retardants (BFRs). It is found that under
severe thermal stress or when they were burnt in accidental fires or uncontrolled
combustion, BFRs could form halogen-based dioxins and furan derivatives [8, 9].
Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the environmental and health concerns limited not
only of BFRs, but also of other types of flame retardants and have been studied extensively at a global scale. Several scientific meetings and conversations were organized
in the late 90 s onto flame retardants: uses, risk assessments and safety globally until
the transition to Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
(REACH), a European Union Regulation Authority came existence in 2006. In 2008,
REACH, [10] (REACH, 1907/2006/EC) entered “No data no market” slogan which
requires the basic health and environmental data to be submitted for all chemicals
before commercialization for their safety evaluation [10]. Halogenated FRs generate
poisonous substances on fire and combustion [2] whereas formaldehyde-based FRs
release formaldehyde which found carcinogenic [3]. They are found to have adverse
health effects in animals and humans, including endocrine and thyroid disruption,
immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cancer, and adverse effects on fetal and child
development and neurologic function [9–13].
As a result, health and environmental hazards associated with these FRs driven
R&D for identifying and utilizing safer alternatives. Because of the social concerns
onto eco-preservation using eco-friendly FRs, the new FRs needs to be halogen-free
and formaldehyde-free. Phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon-containing compounds
are generally considered as environment-friendly FRs, because they do not generate
harmful substances to human-ecosystem on burning with fire and their synergistic
effects [6, 14]. P-based FRs are found very effective inert towards fire (most effective
M. Yusuf
often initiated from the burning of the textile materials which subsequently results
in burns and even loss of human life, causing serious damage to furniture, carpets,
upholstery, buildings, properties, etc. [1, 2]. Thus, flame retardant (FR) finishing of
textile substrates is extremely necessary for many applications for the prevention of
fire and for protection of human life. Most of the polymeric materials such as cellulosics, wool, nylon, polyesters, polyurathanes possess higher flammability [3], and
therefore, required high performance flame retardant finishes to overcome flammable
aspects.
FRs provide fire resistance ability to the textiles through the heat absorbing, the
covering effect, inhibition of chain reaction and gas dilution phase [4]. In general,
there are many chemical treatments that are commonly employed to impart flame
retardant finish for textile/polymeric materials. Main six categories of FRs are highly
discussed and accepted, for example; halogenated, formaldehyde-based, P-based, Nbased, Si-based and other mixed formulations [5]. However, the purpose of FR finishes is to reduce the amount of heat that is supplied to the polymer system to be below
the level for flame stability [6]. Halogenated, phosphorus and formaldehydes based
compounds such as Proban, THPC-TMM (Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium
chloride-Trimethylolmelamine) and Pyrovatex CP, have been widely employed as
the commonest FRs to impart durable fire-resistant ability to the cotton substrates
[3–7].
In early 1990s serious environmental concerns have been noticed concerning halogenated FRs, especially brominated flame retardants (BFRs). It is found that under
severe thermal stress or when they were burnt in accidental fires or uncontrolled
combustion, BFRs could form halogen-based dioxins and furan derivatives [8, 9].
Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the environmental and health concerns limited not
only of BFRs, but also of other types of flame retardants and have been studied extensively at a global scale. Several scientific meetings and conversations were organized
in the late 90 s onto flame retardants: uses, risk assessments and safety globally until
the transition to Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
(REACH), a European Union Regulation Authority came existence in 2006. In 2008,
REACH, [10] (REACH, 1907/2006/EC) entered “No data no market” slogan which
requires the basic health and environmental data to be submitted for all chemicals
before commercialization for their safety evaluation [10]. Halogenated FRs generate
poisonous substances on fire and combustion [2] whereas formaldehyde-based FRs
release formaldehyde which found carcinogenic [3]. They are found to have adverse
health effects in animals and humans, including endocrine and thyroid disruption,
immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cancer, and adverse effects on fetal and child
development and neurologic function [9–13].
As a result, health and environmental hazards associated with these FRs driven
R&D for identifying and utilizing safer alternatives. Because of the social concerns
onto eco-preservation using eco-friendly FRs, the new FRs needs to be halogen-free
and formaldehyde-free. Phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon-containing compounds
are generally considered as environment-friendly FRs, because they do not generate
harmful substances to human-ecosystem on burning with fire and their synergistic
effects [6, 14]. P-based FRs are found very effective inert towards fire (most effective