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With the increasing requirements of eco-friendly flame retardant fabrics, fully bio-based flame retardants have attracted more and more attention. In this work, a fully bio-based flame retardant coating (PALC) was prepared by combining phytic acid and L-cysteine through ion exchange, which was then applied to nylon-cotton blends. The water contact angle (WCA) test indicates that the hydrophilicity of treated blend fabrics is significantly increased. The treated blend fabrics also exhibited excellent antibacterial property against E. coli and S. aureus. Besides, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of the treated blend fabric is increased to 27.2 % from 19.3 %, and the damage length is reduced to 5 cm from 30 cm. The analysis of cone calorimetry test results demonstrates that the total heat release (THR) and peak heat release rate (pHRR) values of the treated blend fabric are reduced by 62.6 % and 65.4 %, respectively, relative to CO/NY. At the same time, the PALC coating can also endow the blend fabric with smoke suppression properties. The total smoke production (TSP) and smoke production rate (SPR) values are reduced by 64.5 % and 67.6 %, respectively. The combination analysis of TG-FTIR, SEM and XPS proves that the phytic acid promotes the dense char layers forming, and L-cysteine generates non-combustible gases. This work provides an eco-friendly and organic solvent-free method for producing flame-retardant nylon/cotton blends with reduced smoke release. [Display omitted] • An organic solvent-free coating PALC was developed from phytic acid and L-cysteine. • PALC coating improved the fire performance of nylon/cotton blend fabrics. • PALC coating increased the hydrophilicity of nylon/cotton blend fabrics. • PALC treated nylon/cotton blend fabrics showed antibacterial property. • PALC acted in both gas-phase and condensed-phase during the combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a fully bio-based multi-functional intumescent flame retardant coating containing ε-polylysine (ε-PL), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), and phytic acid (PA) was successfully constructed on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics via a facile one-pot dip-pad-dry process. The introduction of the coating significantly improved the fire performance of the fabric. The treated PET fabric had a limiting oxygen index value of 28.1 %, and was free of molten drops in the vertical flammable test. The flame retardant mechanism analysis indicated that the three components in flame retardant coating formed intact char layers during combustion which hindered the transfer of oxygen/heat and inhibited the generation of flammable volatiles. The treated PET fabric also exhibited better antibacterial ability against E. coli and S.aureus compared to the control sample. Besides, the breaking strength and the elongation at the break of the treated PET fabric were slightly improved. This work provides a facile and sustainable strategy to fabricate PET fabrics with flame retardancy and anti-dripping properties. [Display omitted] • A fully bio-based flame retardant and antibacterial coating was constructed. • The coated PET fabrics showed self-extinguishing and anti-dripping properties. • The synergistic flame retardant mechanism was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]