Biomacromolecules as Effective Green Flame Retardants for Textiles: An Overview

This chapter reviews the recent advances achieved by using selected biomacromolecules (like proteins and nucleic acids) as novel green flame retardants suitable for cotton, polyester and their blends. Indeed, current USA and EU directives regarding the use of flame retardants are limiting the exploitation of hazardous halogenated compounds and toxic phosphorus-based flame retardants, and advise seeking for sustainable flame retardant alternatives. As a consequence, both academic and industrial researchers are being strongly stimulated toward the design of new products, capable of ensuring the same performances of the halogen- or phosphorus-based counterparts, but, at the same time, showing a significantly lower environmental impact. Very recently, biomacromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, have clearly demonstrated to be suitable potential candidates for replacing the “standard” well-established flame retardants in the textiles field, particularly referring to cotton, polyester and their blends. This chapter therefore discusses the main benefits and achievements derived from the use of these “green” additives as flame retardant finishing for cotton, polyester and cotton-polyester blends, taking into account the structure-property relationships that justify the potential use of these biomacromolecules as flame retardants. In addition, some perspectives concerning the further development of the emerging technology beyond the biomacromolecules use will be discussed, keeping also in mind the current drawbacks (biomacromolecules costs, durability of the finishing treatments, …) and trying to figure out some possible solutions to overcome these limitations.