The work, published recently in Scientific Reports, addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional flame retardants, which often contain toxic chemicals.
The researchers explored various blends of hemp and wool—70/30, 80/20, and 90/10—treated with a chitosan-banana sap hydrogel. Through extensive testing, including scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis, they demonstrated that higher chitosan content improved the thermal stability and flame resistance of the composites.
The results suggest that these materials could effectively meet safety standards while promoting sustainability in textile production.