Preparation of ultra-flame retardant wood materials with mechanical reinforcement and water resistance through biomimetic mineralization of carbonated apatite

The preparation of wood products with mechanical reinforcement, flame retardancy, and water resistance is still a problem to be solved. In this work, carbonated apatite (CAp) was bio-mineralized in wood vessel by the method of gradient impregnation. The CAp@wood(75G) sample with the weight gain of 75 wt% showed the greatest bending strength and compressive strength due to the formation of organic-inorganic composites. With the high bending strength and compressive strength, the CAp@wood(75G) sample exhibited elevated limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 60.4% and self-extinguished immediately in the vertical burning test. In cone calorimetry test, the peak of heat release rate and total heat release for CAp@wood(75G) sample were lessened by 68.2 and 53.1% respectively, compared with that of natural wood sample. Furthermore, the LOI of CAp@wood(75G) with self-extinguishment was still as high as 38.4% even after immersed in water for 24 h. Furthermore, the flame retardant mechanism was explored and generalized. The CAp was decomposed to produced CO2 and H2O to dilute the combustible gases in the air, and catalyzed wood to form the barrier of heat and oxygen during burning. Moreover, CAp produced inorganic salts which played the protective layer role. To conclude, this efficient processing method by bioinspired mineralization was eco-friendly and effective.

Automated summary

In this study, carbonated apatite (CAp) was bio-mineralized in wood vessel using the method of gradient impregnation, forming organic-inorganic composites. The CAp@wood(75G) sample exhibited excellent mechanical strength, flame retardancy, and water resistance. The mechanism of flame retardancy was explored, where CAp decomposed to dilute combustible gases and catalyze the formation of a barrier during burning. The efficient processing method by bioinspired mineralization was found to be eco-friendly and effective.