Fabric Coatings Based on Silicon Oxide Structure with both Flame-Retardant and Hydrophobic Properties

The flame retardancy of coatings on fabrics would always be destroyed and drastically reduced by daily use or routine maintenance because of their hydrophility. So functional coatings with both flame retardancy and hydrophobicity have become a research focus in fabric field. Coatings of silicon oxide compound with high heat resistance and low surface energy have presented good flame retardancy and hydrophobicity. In this paper, the latest research progress about fabric coatings with both excellent flame retardant and hydrophobic properties is described progressively by organosilicon, organosilicon/nano-silicon and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) system on the aspects of char formation, low surface energy, micro-nano structure and controllable multi-functionalization. The relationship between the structure of silicon oxide compound and the properties of flame-retardancy and hydrophobicity is deeply investigated. Finally, synergetic mechanism of flame-retardancy and hydrophobicity, enhancement of functional efficiency and service stability of coatings in complex environment are put forward as the future development of fabric coatings with both flame-retardancy and hydrophobicity. According to the requirements of some application scenarios of functional fabric materials, the hot spots are analyzed and prospected.