Facile synthesis of microfibrillated cellulose/organosilicon/polydopamine composite sponges with flame retardant properties

Abstract

Cellulose composite sponges with good mechanical, heat-insulating and flame retardant properties were constructed by a facile method. Simultaneous polymerization of dopamine and hydrolysis of organosilicon in the suspension of microfibrillated cellulose could provide the stiffness and flame ratardancy of the composite sponges. The hybrid sponges had low density (15.1–28.5 mg/cm3) and desirable compression strength (76.6–135.8 kPa). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal conductivity tests revealed that the sponges are composed of a three-dimensional cellulosic network and the porous structure endowed them low thermal conductivity [~0.046 W/(m K)]. With the addition of organosilicon (45 wt%) and polydopamine (PDA) (10 wt%), a 456% improvement in BET surface area of the sponge could be achieved. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the composite sponge could be as high as 29.5 with 15 wt% PDA and could self-extinguish at once when it was removed from torch. That was owing to the promoted materials carbonization ability of silicon and radical scavenging activity of dopamine.