Plasma-induced graft copolmerization of flame-retardant phosporus-containing monomer onto fabrics

Abstract

This thesis studied on the improving of fire resistance of cotton and silk fabrics which were carried out by radio frequency inductively couple plasma induced graft copolymerization of phosphorus-containing monomer, namely 2-methacryloyloxyethyl diphenyl phosphate (MEDP) and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phenyl benzenephosphonate (MPBP). The monomers were polymerized and grafted onto surface of cotton and silk fabrics by argon plasma at low temperature and pressure. The surface investigation revealed that the increase in monomer concentration led to an increase in percentage of grafting on the fabrics. This resulted in an improvement of LOI values (the highest LOI value = 28%) compared to that of the non-grafted fabric. Moreover, the weight residues from thermogravimetric analysis of grafted fabrics were higher than that obtained from the non-grafted fabrics. At the optimized condition, the physical property of grafted fabrics was slightly changed but the mechanical property was not damaged.