A strategy to improve the compatibility of carboxyl methyl cellulose with silica fume‐based geopolymer inorganic siliceous coatings for flame‐retarding plywood

Abstract

AbstractTo seek an effective strategy for improving the compatibility of carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) with silica fume‐based geopolymer composite flame‐retarding coatings, a novel silica aerogel (SA) doped inorganic siliceous hybrid coating is fabricated by sol–gel. Results show that an appropriate dosage (0.5 wt%) of SA ameliorates their compatibility thus imparting an enhanced flame resistance, evidenced by the lowest value of fire growth index (0.22 kW·m−2·s−1) decreased by 55% and the average effective heat of combustion (4.16 kW·kg−1) decreased by 31%, the raised flame retardancy index of 5.54 from 1 compared with the control. Because the SA improves the compatibility between the CMC and siliceous colloidal sol, due to its high reactivity, electrostatic repulsion involved in SiO(OH)3−, and high porosity, leading to an enhanced crosslinking during film‐forming of the hybrid coatings. Meanwhile, the reduction between CMC and silica occurs with a swelling fire shield, evidenced by the generated silicon involved in the as‐formed amorphous siliceous residues. Therefore, it proposed a new strategy for optimizing the compatibility of organic–inorganic hybrid fireproof coatings, revealing an efficient design of CMC/inorganic siliceous flame retardants, high‐value recycling technology of solid waste, low‐carbon, and sustainable materials.