Investigation of synthesis parameters of antimony fluoroborate and its usability as a flame retardant for cellulosic fabrics

Abstract

In this study, the synthesis parameters of antimony fluoroborate, one of the metal fluoroborates, from antimony trioxide and fluoroboric acid by the wet method, and its usability as flame retardant for cellulosic fabrics have been investigated. The maximum reaction yield was determined depending on the mole ratio of reactants, temperature and stirring speed. The characterization of the product was performed by XRD and FTIR analyses. Antimony fluoroborate was produced with 94% yield at a mole ratio of reactants (nHBF(4)/nSb(2)O(3)) of 6:1, at 70 degrees C and 300 rpm. The thermal behaviors of untreated fabric and fabric impregnated with antimony fluoroborate solution were analyzed by TGA. The flame retardancy performance of antimony fluoroborate for cellulosic fabrics was determined by the vertical flame test and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test methods. The results show that impregnating cellulosic fabrics with antimony fluoroborate enhances their thermal stability and flame retardancy.