Use of nanoparticles for the surface-confined flame retardancy of textiles

This work describes the surface treatments that can be successfully exploited for assembling nanoparticles on a fabric surface, in order to make them very effective in conferring flame retardant features to the underlying textile. More specifically, sol-gel and layer by layer methods methods are thoroughly discussed, on the basis of recent results achieved by our group. In particular, it is clearly shown that by engineering the fabric surface by layer by layer nano-deposition or by oxidic nanostructures derived from sol-gel synthesis, the polymer combustion can be conveniently slowed down to extinguishment, complying fire safety rules of specific applications, through the creation of a surface barrier to heat and mass transfer across the polymer surface.