Metal-organic framework-derived bird's nest-like capsules for phosphorous small molecules towards flame retardant polyurea composites.

The loading treatment of phosphorus flame retardants can mitigate their migration and plasticization effect. However, designing suitable carriers has remained a great challenge. Herein, two kinds of Co-based isomers, namely cobalt-cobalt layered double hydroxides (CoCo-LDH) and cobalt basic carbonate (CBC), were synthesized by employing ZIF-67 as a self-template, assemblied into two different nanostructures namely multi-yolk@shell CBC@CoCo-LDH (m-CBC@LDH) and solid CBC nanoparticles by facilely tuning the reaction time, which were employed as carriers, respectively. Subsequently, triphenyl phosphate (TPP)-loaded m-CBC@LDH (m-CBC-P@LDH) was prepared using TPP as the guest. The m-CBC@LDH with high specific surface area and hollow structure exhibited up to more than 30% of TPP loading. The peak of heat release rate and total heat release of polyurea composite blended with 5 wt% m-CBC-P@LDH reduced by 41.7% and 20.6% respectively, and the mechanical properties were less damaged. This work complements a feasible approach for preparation of metal-organic frameworks-derived flame retardant carriers.

Macro and micro thermal investigation of nanoarchitectonics-based coatings on cotton fabric using new quaternized starch.

Implementation of a new cationizing reagent and its incorporation onto the backbone of starch was performed successfully, confirmed from the remarkable micro- and macro anti-flammable properties. The morphologies and localized compositional analysis of the modified starch-based LBL coatings on the cotton surface were carried out using LV-SEM and EDX: highly uniform coating layers and uptake of solution species for intermediate implant reagent concentrations were confirmed. The subject samples were further analyzed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), microcombustion experiments (MCC), flame testing (VFT) and afterburn measurements. The peak range of the degradation was highly improved from the lower range to the higher range (329.92-394.48 °C), together with significant mass residue for TBAB-0.7-17.02%. Moreover, a significant decrease in the absolute heat loss (THR ∼ 30%), heat dissipation competence (HRC ∼ 27.86%), and peak heat output (PHRR ∼ 23%) was achieved for a TBAB loading of ∼0.7 g. The results were further confirmed from the increase in the limiting oxygen index (LOI) to a higher rate of ∼23.2, improved structural integrity and higher quality of char obtained in the VFT and after-burn analysis.

Precise Control of a Yolk-Double Shell Metal-Organic Framework-Based Nanostructure Provides Enhanced Fire Safety for Epoxy Nanocomposites.

Nanomaterials derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly promising as future flame retardants for polymeric materials. The precise control of the interface for polymer nanocomposites is taking scientific research by storm, whereas such investigations for MOF-based nanofillers are rare. Herein, a novel yolk-double shell nanostructure (ZIF-67@layered double hydroxides@polyphophazenes, ZIF@LDH@PZS) was subtly designed and introduced into epoxy resin (EP) as a flame retardant to fill the vacancy of yolk/shell construction in the field. Meanwhile, the interface of the polymer nanocomposites can be further accurately tailored by the outermost layer of the nanofillers from PZS to Ni(OH)2 (NH), by which hollow nanocages with treble shells (LDH@PZS@NH) were obtained. It is remarkably interesting that LDH@PZS@NH endows the EP with the lowest peak of heat release rate in the cone calorimeter test, but the total heat and smoke releases (THR and TSP) of the nanocomposites are even higher than those of the neat polymer. In contrast, EP blended with ZIF@LDH@PZS shows outstanding comprehensive performance: with 2 wt.%, the limiting oxygen index is increased to 29.5%, and the peak heat release rate is reduced by 26.0%. The impact and flexural strengths are slightly lowered, while the storage modulus is enhanced remarkably compared with that for neat EP. The flame retardant mechanism is systematically explored focusing on the interfacial interactions of different hybrids within the epoxy matrix, ushering in a new stage of study of nanostructural design-guided interface manipulation in MOF-based polymer nanocomposites.

A Review on Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of Polylactic Acid/Silica Composites.

Polylactic acid (PLA)/silica composites as multifunctional high-performance materials have been extensively examined in the past few years by virtue of their outstanding properties relative to neat PLA. The fabrication methods, such as melt-mixing, sol-gel, and in situ polymerization, as well as the surface functionalization of silica, used to improve the dispersion of silica in the polymer matrix are outlined. The rheological, thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation properties of PLA/silica nanocomposites are highlighted. The potential applications arising from the addition of silica nanoparticles into the PLA matrix are also described. Finally, we believe that a better understanding of the role of silica additive with current improvement strategies in the dispersion of this additive in the polymer matrix is the key for successful utilization of PLA/silica nanocomposites and to maximize their fit with industrial applications needs.

LBL generated fire retardant nanocomposites on cotton fabric using cationized starch-clay-nanoparticles matrix.

In this work, starch-clay-TiO2-based nanocomposites were deposited on cotton fabric through layer-by-layer (LBL) process and their effect on the flame retardancy, inhibition of pyrolysis and combustion processes were discussed in details. Polyelectrolyte solutions/suspensions of cationized starch and VMT (vermiculite)/TiO2 nanoparticles were used to deposit these nanocomposites in the form of multi-layered coatings (5, 7, 10 and 15 bilayers). Uniform fabric coverage and presence of electrolytes was imaged by scanning electron microcopy (LV-SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and EDX characterizations. The greatest pyrolysis reduction was found for the StVT-7 sample (7 bilayers); ~30% and 21%, based on microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). When using MCC, the improved values of the PHRR ~ 193 W/g, THR ~ 10.7 kJ/g), HRC ~ 390 J/g∙K and LOI ~ 22.2% were found for the StVT-7 sample which was strongly supported by the UL-94 test.

Review of Recent Advances in Polylactic Acid/TiO2 Composites.

Polylactic acid/titanium oxide (PLA/TiO2) composites as multifunctional materials have been studied extensively by couple of research groups owing to their outstanding mechanical, thermal, photocatalytic, and antimicrobial properties. This review describes the experimental approaches used to improve the compatibility of PLA/TiO2 composites. The mechanical, thermal, photocatalytic, and antimicrobial properties of PLA/TiO2 composites are discussed. The potential applications arising from the structural and functional properties of PLA/TiO2 composites were also reviewed. Finally, it is concluded that a deep understanding of the impacts of TiO2 filler with available improvement approaches in the dispersibility of this filler in the PLA matrix would be the key for the effective usage of PLA/TiO2 composites and to expand their suitability with worldwide application requirements.