Alessandro Beduini, University of Milan
Polyamidoamines, synthesised from a bisacrylamide (MBA) and natural amino acids, soaked into cotton, significantly improved fire performance. Nine different α-amino-acids, with hydrophobic, neutral, acidic or basic side-chains, were reacted with N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide. The resulting polyamidoamines (PAAs) were impregnated into cotton by soaking in aqueous solution then drying at 100°C, resulting in 5%, 7% or 10 % weight added. The PAAs from all of the amino acids prevented horizontal burning of the cotton fabric at 7%, with those based on L-glutamine or L-glutamic acid achieving this even at 5%. The PAAs reduced peak heat release by up to 33% compared to untreated cotton. Fire protection was identified to be by char formation with a stable carbonaceous structure.