News Coatings Technologies
Multifunctional cotton fabric achieves flame retardancy and antibacterial properties with AMOTP modification
A novel halogen-free and formaldehyde-free additive, AMOTP, imparts durable flame-retardant and antibacterial properties to cotton fabrics while maintaining their original physical characteristics.
Researchers Xu Li, Xiangji Liu, Chenghao Yang, and colleagues have developed a durable multifunctional cotton fabric that combines flame retardancy and antibacterial properties in a halogen-free and formaldehyde-free solution. The innovative treatment utilises AMOTP, a flame-retardant antibacterial agent synthesised through the polymerisation of phosphorus oxychloride and diethylenetriamine, integrated with guanidine-based antibacterial groups.
The treated fabric (C3) exhibited significant reductions in peak heat release rate (PHRR) by 87.98 % and total heat release (THR) by 42.97 %, achieving an LOI value of 43.4 %. Antibacterial rates against E. coli and S. aureus reached 99.99 %. Even after 50 washing cycles, the fabric retained 95.87 % and 94.29 % antibacterial effectiveness for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, with the LOI value stabilised at 28.5 %.
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Enhanced performance and durability
This one-step process ensures the treated fabric maintains the original physical properties of cotton while providing robust multifunctionality. The research offers a practical pathway for developing advanced cotton fabrics suitable for diverse applications, from healthcare to protective clothing.
Source: Li, X., Liu, X., Yang, C., Ni, W., Zhang, T., Lu, Z., & Dong, C., Novel durable and high-performance multifunctional cotton fabric with simultaneous flame retardancy and antibacterial properties based on AMOTP modification. Prog. Org. Coat. 2025, 109647.
