Nanocomposite based on poly(acrylic acid) / attapulgite towards flame retardant of cotton fabrics

[Display omitted] •The poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite nanocomposite (PAA/ATP) was successfully synthesized.•It is noteworthy that the ester bonds are formed between PAA/ATP nanocomposites and cotton fibers.•The LOI value of the finished fabric increased from 18.5 to 22.7 when less nanoparticles were added to the polymer.•Compared with the control fabric, the mechanical properties of PAA/ATP finishing fabric increased. The flammability of cotton fabric was improved by treated with the composite containing attapulgite(ATP). To achieve this aim, the poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite nanocomposite (PAA/ATP) was successfully synthesized by the free radical polymerization of acrylic acid and the 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) modified attapulgite. The nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The result showed that PAA/ATP nanocomposite was successfully prepared and the ATP could be dispersed uniformly in the nanocomposite. Nanocomposite was loaded onto the cotton fabric by the dip-pad-dry method. The result of thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), vertical flame test (VFT) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) showed that the thermal and flammability properties of the cotton fabric were improved after treated with the nanocomposite, the LOI value of cotton fabric had reached to 22.7%. Tensile test showed that the mechanical property of the treated cotton fabric was improved, but the whiteness decreased slightly.