Enhancing the flame retardant of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber via incorporation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes based phosphorylated chitosan

Phosphorylated chitosan (PCS) were first deposited on the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) surface via chemical modification to obtain functionalized MWNTs-based PCS (PCS-MWNTs). Then, a series of PET fibers with MWNTs or PCS-MWNTs were prepared via melt spinning. The microstructure and molecular structure of PCS-MWNTs were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphological structures, mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant properties of the PET fibers containing MWNTs or PCS-MWNTs were analyzed by FESEM, therogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, cone and electronic tension meter method. The results showed that MWNTs were coated with PCS. Compared to PET fiber, when the content of PCS-MWNTs was 0.9 wt.%, the PCS-MWNTs/PET fibers exhibited an efficient flame-retardant capacity, with the lower heat release rate and total release rate values of 81.03 kW/m² and 39.05 MJ/m², respectively, decreasing by 130.06 kW/m² and 11.87 MJ/m². The thermal stability of PCS-MWNTs/PET fibers strengthened, and the char residue increased from 7.21 to 13.52%. Compared to MWNTs/PET fiber, the crystallization property and tensile strength of PCS-MWNTs/PET fiber improved, because of the good dispersion and strong interface binding force with the PET fiber. Overall, the PCS layer endowed the MWNTs with good dispersion and flame-retardant characteristics.