Dual char-forming strategy driven MXene-based fire-proofing epoxy resin coupled with good toughness

Kaili Gong; Lian Yin; Congling Shi; Xiaodong Qian; Keqing Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2023.02.134

Dual char-forming strategy driven MXene-based fire-proofing epoxy resin coupled with good toughness

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023 Jun 15:640:434-444. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.02.134. Epub 2023 Feb 28.

Authors

Kaili Gong¹, Lian Yin¹, Congling Shi², Xiaodong Qian³, Keqing Zhou⁴

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, Hubei 430074 PR China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory of Metro Fire and Passenger Transportation Safety, China Academy of Safety Science and Technology, Beijing 100012, PR China. Electronic address: shicl@chinasafety.ac.cn.
³ Beijing Key Laboratory of Metro Fire and Passenger Transportation Safety, China Academy of Safety Science and Technology, Beijing 100012, PR China.
⁴ Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, Hubei 430074 PR China. Electronic address: zhoukq@cug.edu.cn.

PMID: 36870219
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.02.134

Abstract

It is challenging that the functionalized MXene-based nanofillers are designed to modify the inherent flammability and poor toughness of epoxy polymeric materials and further to facilitate the application of EP composites. Herein, silicon-reinforced Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-based nanoarchitectures (MXene@SiO₂) are synthesized by simple self-growth method, and its enhancement effects on epoxy resin (EP) are investigated. The as-prepared nanoarchitectures realize homogeneous dispersion in EP matrix, indicating well performance-enhancing potential. The incorporation of MXene@SiO₂ achieves improved thermal stability for EP composites with higher T_-5% and lower R_max values. Moreover, EP/2 wt% MXene@SiO₂ composites obtain a 30.2% and 34.0% reduction in peak heat release rate (PHRR) and peak smoke production rate (PSPR) compared to those of pure EP, respectively, also achieving a 52.5% fall in smoke factor (SF) values and increased yield and stability of chars. The dual char-forming effects of MXene@SiO₂ nanoarchitectures, including the catalytic charring of MXene and the migration of SiO₂ to induce charring, are accounted for the results, as well as lamellar barrier effects. Additionally, EP/MXene@SiO₂ composites achieve an enhanced storage modulus of 51.5%, along with improved tensile strength and elongation at break, compared to those of pure EP.

Keywords: Dual char-forming; Epoxy resins; Flame retardancy; MXene; Mechanical properties.