Abstract: (4532 Views)
Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is used as a promising flame retardant and smoke suppressant nano additive in polymer composites due to its high thermal stability and layered structure. In this study, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was melt-blended with MoS2 (1wt. %) and a halogen-free intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system. The IFR system consisted of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), Melamine polyphosphate (MPP), and pentaerythritol (PER), with a total amount of 25 wt. %. The TPU/IFR/MoS2 composite exhibited outstanding flame-retardant properties, achieving a UL-94 V-0 rating and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 34%. Reaction-to-fire performance of the TPU/IFR/MoS2 composite was evaluated by cone calorimeter test (CCT). The CCT results indicated high flame-retardant efficiency and considerable smoke suppression performance, along with a significant decrease in the peak heat release rate (PHRR: 65.9%), peak smoke production rate (PSPR: 65.6%), and peak CO production (PCOP: 60.7%) compared to the neat TPU. The significant improvement in fire performance of TPU composite was mainly attributed to the effects of the physical barrier of MoS2 and catalytic carbonization of the IFR system. These resulted in forming an intumescent compact carbonized layer during the combustion, effectively restricting dripping. The continuous structure of the residual char was revealed by FESEM. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated improved thermal behavior of the TPU composite in high temperatures. This work provides an effective method to improve the reaction to fire of TPU composites by incorporating traditional IFRs and MoS2, resulting in enhanced fire safety.
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1. Molybdenum-disulfide (MoS2) as a two-dimensional flame retardant and smoke suppressant in combination with traditional intumescent flame retardants (APP/MPP/PER) improved the reaction to fire properties of TPU
2. Flammability test results and cone calorimeter data showed significant suppression of heat, smoke, and CO released in the TPU/IFR/MoS2 composite compared to the TPU
3. A high-quality char layer with a continuous and compact structure was formed during the combustion of the TPU/IFR/MoS2 composite
4. Thermal stability of TPU was improved by incorporating IFR/MoS2