MoFs decorated TA-MoS2 nanosheets improving the mechanical and fire properties of epoxy resins: Interface engineering design based on virginia creeper

Abstract

Developing high-performance polymers with outstanding fire safety and mechanical performance remains a thorny challenge. Hence, inspired by Virginia creepers, an interface engineering design was used to load NH2-MIL-Fe onto the surface of tannic acid (TA)-modified molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), gestating TA-MoS2-NMFe nanohybrids with biomimetic structure. The TA-MoS2-NMFe exhibited well dispersion and interfacial compatibility in the epoxy resin (EP) matrix, which facilitated the improvement of the EP nanocomposites properties. Subsequently, the EP/TA-MoS2-NMFe nanocomposites showed a creeper sucker structure that could withstand high external force, resulting in growths of 49.9% in tensile strength and 67.3% in elongation at break. Moreover, the incorporation of TA-MoS2-NMFe decreased the maximum thermal degradation rate from 1.35%/℃ to 1.0%/℃, leading to EP nanocomposites with excellent thermal stability. Likewise, compared to pure EP, EP/TA-MoS2-NMFe achieved reductions of 42.3%, 41.2%, 50.8% and 71.1% in the peak heat release rate, total heat release, peak smoke production rate and smoke factor, respectively, which was better than reported works. It was due to the catalytic carbon formation of metal ions, the expansion charring characteristics of TA, barrier effect of MoS2 and dilution effect of nonflammable gases. Briefly, this work provides an innovative way to developing high-performance polymers from a bionic perspective.