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The possibility of layered melamine-phytate (MEL-PA) as an efficient synergist for intumescent flame retardant (IFR) is explored. The synergistic effects of MEL-PA on polypropylene (PP)/IFR composites are investigated in terms of flammability tests and combustion under forced-flaming condition. The addition of MEL-PA can effectively improve limited oxygen index (LOI) of PP composites. When 2 mass% MEL-PA is incorporated, the LOI value is enhanced from 33.0 to 35.1%. In addition, fire-retardant performance is increased with the addition of MEL-PA. The heat and smoke releases of PP/IFR are greatly reduced by MEL-PA. When IFR is partially replaced by 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mass% MEL-PA, total smoke production values are decreased by 27.2%, 34.8% and 57.6%, respectively. Raman spectra analysis indicates that the adding of MEL-PA results in higher graphitization degree of char layer. This work proves that MEL-PA and IFR have a good synergistic effect on flame-retardant PP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melamine-phytate (MEL-PA) nanoflakes are formed by supramolecular self-assembly technology using melamine (MEL) and bio-based phytic acid (PA) as the building blocks. This work explores the possibility of this two-dimensional nanomaterial as flame retardant. The layered MEL-PA with the loading of 1, 2 and 3 wt% are incorporated into polypropylene (PP) matrix. MEL-PA is dispersed well in the PP matrix. Thermal stability and flame retardant performance of PP/MEL-PA composites are investigated. Compared with neat PP, the addition of 2 wt% MEL-PA decreases the peak heat release rate from 756 to 608 kW/m2. Char yield of PP is improved by MEL-PA, and the chemical structure and graphitization degree of residual char are studied to reveal flame retardant mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel nano-clay flame retardant (HNTs@MEL-PA) is prepared by modifying halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) with supramolecular self-assembly technology using melamine (MEL) and bio-based phytic acid (PA) as the building blocks. Transmission electron microscopy images and Fourier transform infrared spectra show that the surface of HNTs is successfully decorated with MEL-PA supramolecular aggregates by hydrogen bonding. The feasibility of using HNTs@MEL-PA as a flame retardant for polypropylene (PP) is explored. Compared with PP/HNTs composites, the dispersion of HNTs@MEL-PA and its interfacial interactions with PP matrix are greatly improved. Heat release of PP is decreased in a certain degree and its smoke release is greatly reduced by HNTs@MEL-PA. With the addition of 15 wt% HNTs@MEL-PA, total smoke production of PP is decreased from 15.7 to 10.2 m2, indicating the greatly improved fire safety. Flame retardant and smoke suppression mechanisms of HNTs@MEL-PA are proposed based on thermal decomposition results and the analysis on char residue. Image 1 • HNTs were modified by supramolecular self-assembly technology. • Combustion behaviors of PP/HNTs@MEL-PA composites were investigated. • Flame retardant and smoke suppression mechanisms of HNTs@MEL-PA were concluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysine sulfate (LS) powder is at high risk of fire and explosion during its production, processing and storage. Considering its edible and nutritive values, the selection for its explosion inhibitor requires both excellent inhibition performance and environmental friendliness. The inhibition performance of a natural food additive of sodium phytate (SP) on LS dust deflagration is investigated by comparing it with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), which is a widely used flame retardant. The deflagration characteristics of LS mixtures with various mass fractions of SP and APP are recorded by high-speed photography and fine thermocouples. The combustion heat is tested by micro-scale combustion calorimetry. Thermal stability of samples are studied by using a synchronous thermal analyzer. The results show that the deflagration of LS dust is completely suppressed when the mass fractions of APP and SP increase to 2% and 8%, respectively. The corresponding inhibition mechanisms are proposed based on the dust deflagration macroscopic results and microcosmic analysis on thermal decomposition products and residuals. These findings may provide a solution to reduce the probability and damage of dust explosions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nacre-like GO-PTA paper is prepared by evaporation-induced self-assembly method. • Fire sensor-based GO-PTA exhibits ultrasensitive and durable warning response. • Enhancement in fire resistance of GO is attributed to in situ phosphorus doping. A novel nacre-like flame-retardant paper based on graphene oxide (GO), and phytic acid (PTA) is fabricated via evaporation-induced self-assembly. This facile method is time saving and low energy consuming. A facile approach is proposed to improve thermal oxidative stability of GO paper by in situ phosphorus doping during flame exposure. Then fire-alarm system is designed based on the high-temperature thermal reduction characteristic of GO. The GO paper functionalized with PTA (GO-PTA) can provide ultrasensitive, reliable and longtime fire early-warning signal. Fire alarm can be triggered at approximately 0.50 s when GO-PTA samples are attacked by fire. Phosphorus atoms are in situ doped into graphene layers during fire exposure, endowing GO-PTA paper with outstanding thermal oxidative stability, and thus alarm duration time of GO is greatly improved. The work develops advanced fire detection and early-warning sensors that provide reliable and continuous signals, which provide more available time for fire evacuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organically modified ammonium polyphosphate (APP) flame retardant is prepared by supramolecular assembly method using melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin and phytic acid (PA) as building blocks. Surface characteristics of APP are modified, resulting in the enhancements in water resistance, dispersion in the polymer matrix and their compatibility. This supramolecular assembly modified APP (APP@MF-PA) matches well with charring-foaming agent (CFA) to achieve excellent fire safety for polypropylene (PP), and the superiority over conventional APP is observed. Heat, CO and CO 2 releases of PP are greatly decreased by the intumescent flame retardant (IFR) formulation containing APP@MF-PA and CFA. The modification of APP with MF-PA supramolecules are beneficial to improve the yield, insulation properties, graphitization degree and compactness of char. Flame-retardant mechanisms are demonstrated according to the investigations on gaseous and condensed phase products. This novel and facile modification method provides a new strategy for improving the flame-retardant efficiency of IFR. Image 1 • The surface characteristics of APP were modified by supramolecular assembly. • Fire hazards of PP were greatly reduced by this modified APP and CFA. • Flame retardant mechanisms were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel high-efficiency composite named PA@NH 2 -MCM41 was synthesized via self-assembly. • Nano-Al dust explosion was completely suppressed by only 33.3 wt% PA@NH 2 -MCM41. • A complex film based on Al x (HiPh y) was formed during the explosion suppression process. • The excellent capacity of PA@NH 2 -MCM41 was due to the synergy between gas and condensed phase effects. A novel chemical suppressant (PA@NH 2 -MCM41) was synthesized via self-assembly. NH 2 -MCM-41 was prepared using diatomaceous earth (DE) as the silica source. FTIR spectra showed that phytic acid (PA) was successfully grafted onto synthesized NH 2 -MCM-41 via hydrogen bonding. The highly ordered mesoporous structure of PA@NH 2 -MCM41 was observed from TEM and small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD). The effectiveness of PA@NH 2 -MCM41 in the suppression of nano-Al dust explosions was investigated. Experimental results suggested that the addition of PA@NH 2 -MCM41 could effectively reduce the average flame propagation velocity (V avg) and maximum explosion pressure (P max). After the addition of 16.7 wt% PA@NH 2 -MCM41, the V avg of the gas-phase flame was reduced by 75%. With addition of 28.6 wt% PA@NH 2 -MCM41, the P max of nano-Al dust decreased by 65.7%. As the mass fraction of PA@NH 2 -MCM41was increased to 33.3%, nano-Al dust explosion was completely suppressed. The SEM, FTIR and EDS results showed that a complex sealing film was formed on the surface of the explosion products, which occupied the open sites on the Al surface and thereby interrupted the Al evaporation and surface reaction. Subsequently, the suppression mechanism by which phosphorus containing suppressants consume free radicals and the interaction of PA molecules with the aluminum particle surface were revealed in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]