Synthesis and application of a new, facile, and efficient sorbitol-based finishing agent for durable and flame retardant lyocell fibers

In this paper, a simple and facile polyol sorbitol was employed to design and synthesize a novel flame retardant containing phosphorus and nitrogen by the reaction of sorbitol with phosphoric acid and urea. The obtained sorbitol-based flame retardant was then used to treat lyocell fibers by a pad-dry-cure procedure. Formaldehyde and other harmful substances were not used during the preparation of flame retardant and modified fibers. For this strategy, only water is used as solvent, and the conditions are mild, safe and environmentally friendly. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses show that the sorbitol-based flame retardant was successfully grafted onto lyocell fibers. Scanning electron microscopy analyses show that the surface morphology of the treated fibers remained unchanged. Thermogravimetric analyses imply that the residue of the treated fibers increases considerably. Vertical combustion and limit oxygen index results indicate that the treated fibers possess excellent flame retardant and durable properties. Based on the results of pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric-infrared and Raman spectroscopy, the flame retardant operates in condensed phase and gas phase during burning of treated fibers.