Lightweight, high-strength and fireproof borax-crosslinked graphene/hydroxyethyl cellulose hybrid aerogels fabricated via ice template method

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in fireproof nanomaterials due to their broad applications in fire-safety and environmental preservation. In this study, one kind of lightweight fireproof hybrid aerogel with low thermal conductivity (0.039 W/m•K) was prepared through a facile ice template method, where the graphene nanosheets and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) are combined with borax crosslinkers. It was found that this aerogel can be not only recyclable and repairable, but also possesses excellent compressive strength and stiffness, owing to the interfacial van der Waals adsorption, ionic crosslinking and hydrogen bonding interactions. Remarkably, it has excellent flame retardancy performance (an extremely low peak heat release rate (PHRR) was measured to be 37.44 kW/m2, reduced by 88.6 % comparing to that of graphene/HEC aerogel). To further explore the fire resistance mechanism of this aerogel, the molecular dynamics simulation was performed. It reveals that the borax can effectively wrap and hinder the graphene and HEC molecules from decomposition. Besides, the borax can compact graphene and HEC closer, thereby further isolating heat and oxygen, realizing the fireproof property. This study offers valuable insights for designing advanced fireproof nanomaterials and applications in shipbuilding or construction.