Using renewable phosphate to decorate graphene nanoplatelets for flame-retarding, mechanically resilient epoxy nanocomposites

Eco-friendly, safe yet highly effective nanomaterials play an essential role in providing flammable polymers with a flame-retarding merit. However, there is a lack of research into bio-based, sustainable phosphate together with graphene for flame-retarding polymer nanocomposites. We herein report a method of electrostatically assembling renewable adenosine triphosphate (ATP), melamine, and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) into hybrid particles (ATP-melamine-GNPs). Demonstrating a relatively uniform dispersion in an epoxy matrix with strong interfacial adhesion, ATP-melamine-GNPs at 3 wt% increased Young's modulus, fracture energy release rate, and glass transition temperature by 91.5 %, 92.7 %, and 15.6 %, respectively. ATP-melamine-GNPs reduced peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total CO production by 30.7 %, 22.2 %, and 27.9 %, respectively. ATPmelamine-GNPs resulted in a far more continuous and compact char than individual ATP-melamine or GNPs. Synergy was observed for both mechanical properties and flame retardancy of the nanocomposites. The findings of this work provide a new platform for using bio-based, sustainable materials and GNPs in the development of flame-retarding, mechanically resilient polymer nanocomposites.

Automated summary

This study presents a method to assemble renewable adenosine triphosphate (ATP), melamine, and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) into hybrid particles (ATP-melamine-GNPs) for flame-retarding polymer nanocomposites. These hybrid particles showed uniform dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion in an epoxy matrix. The addition of ATP-melamine-GNPs improved the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of the nanocomposites. The findings of this work provide a new platform for developing environmentally friendly and mechanically resilient polymer nanocomposites with flame-retardant properties.