Researchers discovered that it is possible to construct a stable, flame-retardant and super-hydrophobic coating on cotton fabric by simply impregnating it.

Researchers constructed a stable flame-retardant superhydrophobic cotton fabric (FRS-CF) via simple impregnation method. The firstly deposited ammonium polyphosphate/zinc borate (APP/ZB) and silicon dioxide form an inorganic hierarchical structure, which not only endow the fabric with flame retardancy, but also provide appropriate roughness for the construction of superhydrophobicity coating. The latter deposited polydimethylsiloxane function as low surface energy materials to achieve the superhydrophobic performance, and the added epoxy resin could strongly increase the overall mechanical stability of the coating through providing interfacial adhesion.