New type of composite hydrogel based on natural polysaccharides and sodium polyacrylate for the production of fire-resistant fabrics

Abstract Flexible and fire-resistant hydrogel–cotton fabric composites doped with ceramic fire retardants were obtained by the immersion method. Among the analyzed mixtures, the samples based on sodium polyacrylate, which provided the best degree of penetration and subsequent intumescence, and those containing magnesium hydroxide in their composition had the best fire-resistant parameters. This was confirmed based on TG/DSC and DMA thermal analysis, PCFC measurements, reaction to fire test results, and SEM microphotographs. The MIR spectroscopic analysis additionally proved that the fire-retardant mechanism is based on the creation of an intumescent structure strengthened by the interaction of fire retardants with various functions, such as hydroxides, which, during decomposition, create a protective char around the material. We believe that these results will contribute to the development of special fabrics with fire-retardant properties.