Tuning the nanocellulose-borate interaction to achieve highly flame retardant hybrid materials

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Henri VAHABI

Publication Date (Web): March 21, 2016 in Chem. Mater

Abstract

We show that the pH-dependent molecular pathways for cross-linking boric acid and nanocellulose have a strong influence on the flame retardancy and ignition resistance of nanocellulose-based foams. Solid-state NMR revealed that cross-linking at alkaline conditions results in the formation of thermally stable borate ester bonds. Boric acid cross-linking also modifies the thermal degradation pathway of nanocellulose; the cellulose structure is transformed into stable aromatic char during thermal annealing and the evolution of flammable volatile levoglucosan is small. We show that composite foam panels of the nanocellulose-borate hybrids and sepiolite nanoclay prepared at alkaline conditions did not ignite on radiant heat exposure in cone calorimetry testing and maintained their structural integrity after prolonged heat exposure.

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Effect of particle size on the flame retardancy of poly(butylene succinate)/Mg(OH)2 composites

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Henri VAHABI

FIRE AND MATERIALS
Fire Mater. 2016      pdf: Click here
Poly(butylene succinate)/magnesium hydroxide (PBS/Mg(OH)2) composites were prepared by melt compounding to investigate the effect of particle size on the flame retardancy of PBS. Their flammability properties were investigated by limiting oxygen index, UL-94, and cone calorimeter tests, which suggested that the medium-sized Mg(OH)2-5 μm displayed the best flame retardancy. The residual char structure were analyzed and indicated that Mg(OH)2-5 μm could form a better protective layer than other sized particles, leading to the better flame retardancy to PBS.

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