Flame-Retardant Wood Composites Based on Immobilizing with Chitosan/Sodium Phytate/Nano-TiO2-ZnO Coatings via Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly

Composite coatings of inorganic nanomaterials with polyelectrolytes are promising materials for wood modification. Endowing wood with flame retardancy behavior can not only broaden the range of applications of wood, but also improve the safety of wood products. In this work, chitosan/sodium phytate/TiO2-ZnO nanoparticle (CH/SP/nano-TiO2-ZnO) composite coatings were coated on wood surface through layer-by-layer self-assembly. The morphology and chemical composition of the modified wood samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. The thermal degradation properties and flame retardancy of the samples treated with different assembly structures were observed by thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen test, and combustion test. Due to the presence of an effective intumescent flame retardant system and a physical barrier, the CH/SP/nano-TiO2-ZnO coatings exhibited the best flame retardant performance and required only approximately six seconds for self-extinguishing. The coated samples had a limiting oxygen index of 8.4% greater than the original wood.