Bio-based smart coating combines fire protection, early warning and upcyclability
Researchers have developed a multifunctional fire-protective coating that not only shields materials from extreme heat but also provides an early warning of fire and can be recycled into new flame-retardant materials at the end of its life. The work, published in Polymer Degradation and Stability, demonstrates a strategy for combining fire safety, sustainability and circularity within a single…
Researchers have created a multi-functional fire-protective coating that shields materials from extreme heat, warns of fires, and can be recycled into new flame-retardant materials. Published in Polymer Degradation and Stability, the study showcases a method to combine fire safety, sustainability, and circularity in one material system.
The coating, based on an epoxy resin with a bio-based intumescent flame retardant from phytic acid and graphene oxide, provides three key functions: fire protection, early fire warning, and upcyclability. Thermal tests revealed that the coated aluminum remained below 400°C after 15 minutes of exposure to a 1,200°C flame, while unprotected aluminum completely burned after about two minutes.
The coating forms a robust insulating char layer during combustion, slowing heat transfer and preserving underlying material integrity. Additionally, graphene oxide enables rapid conductivity changes that trigger fire alarms in about 3.5 seconds. The coating's end-of-life materials can be recycled into a powder that retains fire-resistant structures and can be incorporated into polypropylene composites, retaining excellent flame-retardant properties.
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