Abstract
Polyvinyl alcohol- (PVA-) based aerogels have attracted widespread attention owing to their low cost, eco-friendliness, and low density. However, the applications of PVA-based aerogels are limited by their flammability. In this study, a flame retardant, ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and a biopolymer, chitosan (CS), were added to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the polymer was further crosslinked using boric acid (H3BO3). In the PVA aerogels, the negatively charged APP and positively charged CS formed a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) through ionic interaction. Cone calorimetry and vertical burning tests (UL-94) indicated that the PVA composite aerogels have excellent flame retardancy; they could decrease the heat release rate, total heat release rate, and carbon dioxide (CO2) generation. Both PVA/H3BO3 and APP-CS in the composite aerogel could be burned to carbon, and the foamed char layer could act together to impart the PVA composite aerogels with good flame retardancy. Further, the decrease in the temperature at the backside of the aerogels with increasing APP-CS content, as determined by the flame-spraying experiment, indicated that the PVA-based aerogels with APP-CS can also serve as thermal insulation materials. This work provides an effective and promising method for the preparation of PVA-based aerogels with good flame retardancy and thermal insulation property for construction materials.
Highlights
IntroductionThe demand for energy is growing. In particular, energy consumption related to buildings has continuously increased over the past decades [1]
With rapid economic development, the demand for energy is growing
Polymer-based aerogels have attracted significant attention as construction materials owing to their unique advantages, such as low density, high specific surface area, and low thermal conductivity [2,3,4,5]
Summary
The demand for energy is growing. In particular, energy consumption related to buildings has continuously increased over the past decades [1]. Energy conservation in buildings is a very important development trend. Adding a polymer-based aerogel material between walls can effectively preserve house heat and provide insulation. Polymer-based aerogels have attracted significant attention as construction materials owing to their unique advantages, such as low density, high specific surface area, and low thermal conductivity [2,3,4,5]. Its application as a building material is limited by its flammability. The fire hazards associated with the application of such polymer materials can result in loss of life and property [7, 8]. It is necessary to develop materials with good flame retardancy and thermal insulation as construction materials for modern buildings, which remains a significant challenge
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