Thermal stability and flame retardancy of polyester fabrics sol-gel treated in the presence of boehmite nanoparticles

Polyester fabrics have been treated with hybrid organic-inorganic sols containing aluminium hydroxide, namely a synthetic boehmite. The treated fabrics have been thoroughly investigated by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled to elemental analysis and thermogravimetry. Furthermore, the flammability of the coated fabrics has been assessed and compared with that achieved by applying the two components separately. More specifically, flammability tests have shown that the sol-gel treatment in the presence of boehmite nanoparticles is able to suppress the dripping phenomenon, which represents the main issue to fulfil for polyester fabrics.