A novel flame retardant material phosphorus functionalized grapheme quantum dot (Pf-GQD), which is water based non-toxic, low cost, transparent and easy to coat on cotton fabrics by simple dip and dry technique has been developed. The cotton cloths and threads, coated with the developed Pf-GQD material, have been successfully tested for their flame retardant functionalities under steady state flame (T~1000 ^°C) and turbulent flame (heat flux ~ 30-40 kW/m²) conditions at the BARC collaboration facilities. A nominal thin coating (~4 Î¼m) of the transparent solution of Pf-GQD on cotton cloth helps the cloth to retain its original colour as well as safety for daily personal use.

An Indian patent application has been filed for this material.

nominal thin coating (~4 μm) of the transparent solution of Pf-GQD on cotton cloth helps the cloth to acquire flame retardent property and also retain its original colour as well. Beneficially, the coating is found to resist repeated wash fastness cycles which is tested by modified ISO2 method. Notably, this is the first report of graphene based transparent flame retardant and thus can be applicable for day-to-day utilizable textile cloths, curtains, sofa covers, automobile seat covers, etc.

ADVANTAGES

1. Transparent and thin (~4 μ) coating on cloth makes it suitable for daily uses.
2. Highly efficient flame retardant property against large industrial fire (tested up to 50 kW/cm²Â heat flux).
3. Simple dip and dry coating method for application.
4. Non-toxic for human uses.
5. Potential to use as chemosensors, biolebeling and in photodynamic therapy.
6. Possibility of synthesis from natural carbon sources such as mango leaf.

FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION

• Standard organic laboratory space with equipments, chemicals and solvents are required.

a. Materials used

• Graphene oxide (GO), poly-phosphoric acid (PPA), monosodium dihydrogen orthophosphate (NaH₂PO₄).

b. Equipment used

• Teflon lined stainless steel autoclave, muffle furnace and centrifuge.
• Graphene oxide is prepared by using modified Hummer's method. PPA and NaH₂PO₄ were used as phosphorous source.

c. Manpower

• A technician and a science graduate with chemistry background would be required.