Ionic Liquid Capsules as Flame-Retardant Additives for Emulsion Paint Systems

To develop a highly efficient and environmentally friendly flame-retardant system, ionic liquids (ILs) have recently emerged as promising candidates. However, the addition of ILs into emulsion paint disrupts emulsion stability, leading to rapid demulsification due to electrostatic effects. Herein, IL-silica capsules were developed using a soft-template method. These capsules can be directly added to an acrylic emulsion paint system as flame-retardant additives. Incorporating 5 wt% IL-silica capsules into the system and coating it on fabric reduced flammability by 53% compared to untreated fabric. This work provides a novel and practical approach to enhance flame retardancy in emulsion paint systems without compromising their stability.