Advances in phosphorus-based flame retardant cotton fabrics

This chapter reviews the current state of the art referring to the potentialities offered by flame retarded cotton fabrics, obtained through surface engineered methods, namely sol-gel and layer by layer. In particular, the contribution of phosphorus-containing additives to the overall flame retardant behavior of the treated fabrics is thoroughly elucidated. Finally, the main current limitations concerning the durability of the proposed flame retarded cotton fabrics are discussed, highlighting the still open challenges and future possible developments.