Nanohybrid of Co3O4 Nanoparticles and Polyphosphazene-Decorated Ultra-Thin Boron Nitride Nanosheets for Simultaneous Enhancement in Fire Safety and Smoke Suppression of Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Yizhang Tong, Wei Wu, Wanjing Zhao, Yurui Xing, Hongti Zhang, Cheng Wang, Timothy B.Y. Chen, Anthony C.Y. Yuen, Bin Yu, Xianwu Cao, Xiaohong Yi

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is widely used in daily life due to its characteristics of light weight, high impact strength, and compression resistance. However, TPU products are extremely flammable and will generate toxic fumes under fire attack, threatening human life and safety. In this article, a nanohybrid flame retardant was designed for the fire safety of TPU. Herein, Co3O4 was anchored on the surface of exfoliated ultra-thin boron nitride nanosheets (BNNO@Co3O4) via coprecipitation and subsequent calcination. Then, a polyphosphazene (PPZ) layer was coated onto BNNO@Co3O4 by high temperature polymerization to generate a nanohybrid flame retardant named BNNO@Co3O4@PPZ. The cone calorimeter results exhibited that the heat release and smoke production during TPU combustion were remarkably restrained after the incorporation of the nanohybrid flame retardant. Compared with pure TPU, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) decreased by 44.1%, the peak smoke production rate (PSPR) decreased by 51.2%, and the peak CO production rate (PCOPR) decreased by 72.5%. Based on the analysis of carbon residues after combustion, the significant improvement in fire resistance of TPU by BNNO@Co3O4@PPZ was attributed to the combination of quenching effect, catalytic carbonization effect, and barrier effect. In addition, the intrinsic mechanical properties of TPU were well maintained due to the existence of the PPZ organic layer.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4341
JournalPolymers
Volume14
Issue number20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • boron nitride
  • CoO
  • fire safety
  • mechanical property
  • polyphosphazene
  • thermoplastic polyurethane

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics

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