Authors: Jelena Vasiljević, Danaja Štular, Gabriela Kalčíková, Janja Zajc, Matic Šobak, Andrej Demšar, Brigita Tomšič, Barbara Simončič, Marija Čolović, Vid Simon Šelih, Ivan Jerman
Novelty: This article presents for the first time the results of research combining the fields of textile engineering and environmental science. A concept is presented to evaluate the environmental performance of newly developed PA6 refractory fibers with incorporated organophosphorus flame retardant (PHED) is presented. This concept includes an evaluation of the antibacterial and antifungal properties, cytotoxicity, and washing fastness of the flame retardant PA6/PHED textile fibers, as well as an evaluation of the leaching of the incorporated flame retardant from the fibers during a simulated exposure to an intensive rain event and an evaluation of the ecotoxicity of the leachate.
Highligts:
- Flame retardant PA6/PHED fibers showed antibacterial activity against coli and S. aureus;
- Flame retardant PA6/PHED fibers showed antifungal activity against niger and S. albicans;
- Flame retardant PA6/PHED fibers exhibited low ecotoxicity profile in duckweed minor bioassay;
- Targeted biological activity of organophosphinate provides multifunctionality to textiles;
- Because of the potential leaching of PHED and its cytotoxicity, the use of multifunctional PA6/PHED textile should be directed to the technical applications, where the material is not exposed to intensive washing or possible rain events and is not in direct contact with the skin.
