In this study, a kind of inorganic composite flame retardant (Sep@Fe₂O₃) was prepared by combining solution deposition and calcination methods using sepiolite microfiber material as carrier. This inorganic compound flame retardant was combined with waterborne polyurethane (WPU) through layer-by-layer method to prepare WPU composites. The SEM and EDS, TEM, and XRD were used to characterize the microscopic morphology and crystal structure of WPU composites. Thermogravimetric analysis tests confirmed the good thermal stability of WPU/Sep@Fe₂O₃ composites; at the temperature of 600C, the carbon residual percentage of WPU/Sep, WPU/Fe₂O₃, and WPU/Sep@Fe₂O₃ composites is 7.3, 12.2, and 13.4, respectively, higher than that of WPU (1.4). Vertical combustion tests proved better flame-retardant property of WPU/Sep@Fe₂O₃ composite-coated cotton than noncoated cotton. The microcalorimeter test proved that the PHRR of WPU/Sep@Fe₂O₃ composites decreased by 61 compared with that of WPU. In addition, after combining with Sep@Fe₂O₃, the breaking strength of WPU increased by 35.

Common flame retardants, such as halogen-based materials, are being phased-out owing to their harmful environmental and health effects. We prepared poly-(cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol) (PZS) microspheres, nanotubes, capsicum-like nanotubes, and branched nanotubes as flame retardants. An increase in reaction temperature changed the morphology from nanotubes to microspheres. A PZS shape had a positive effect on the flame retardancy of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PZS with a capsicum-like nanotube morphology had the best flame retardancy, and the PET limiting oxygen index increased from 25.2% to 34.4%. The flame retardancy capability was followed by PZS microspheres (33.1%), branched nanotubes (32.8%), and nanotubes (32.5%). The capsicum-like nanotubes promote the formation of highly dense and continuous carbon layers, and they release a non-combustible gas (CO₂). This study confirms polyphosphazene-based flame retardants as viable and environmentally-friendly alternatives to common flame retardants. It also presents a novel and facile design and synthesis of morphology-controlled nanomaterials with enhanced flame retardant properties.

We report on the pre-treatment and dyeing one bath of viscose fabric with enzyme in cold pad-batch method, which offers more eco-friendly and economically process. To investigate the feasible and effect, the production process was optimized employing uniform design and single-factor analysis method, and the fastness, strength, softness and costs of the treated viscose fabrics with the cold pad-batch and conventional method at the same dye concentration were compared. All the chemicals work synergistically to make the cold pad-batch method exhibit remarkable color strength and excellent performances equal to that with conventional pre-treatment and dyeing method. And under the same dye concentration 2.76%, the cold pad-batch method could save 98.13% sodium carbonate, 95% sodium sulfate, 95% enzyme, 94.29% degreaser, 95% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 97.5% water relative to the conventional method. It could greatly reduce the consumptions of chemicals and energy, and has a far-reaching influence on the sustainable development of dyeing industry.