Reduction In Peak Heat Release Rate Research Articles

Fire-safe unsaturated polyester resin nanocomposites based on MAX and MXene: a comparative investigation of their properties and mechanism of fire retardancy.

Recently, MXene, as a novel graphene-like nanomaterial, has been found to bestow good flame-retardant and smoke-suppression properties to polymers mainly due to the physical barrier effect of its 2D nanosheets. However, a comprehensive investigation of its chemical components as an important factor for these properties has not been conducted to date. To address this issue, herein, MXene (Ti3C2Tx) and MAX (Ti3AlC2) were introduced into unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) at same amounts (2.0 wt%). Their structures are different (multilayer for MXene and bulk for MAX), but the chemical components are similar; therefore, it is important to study the influence of the chemical components of MXene on the fire-safety properties of polymers. In this study, 2 wt% MAX was added to the UPR, and the peak heat release rate (PHRR), the total smoke production (TSP), and carbon monoxide production (COP) of the resulting material were reduced by 11.04%, 19.08%, and 15.79%, respectively; these findings demonstrate the important role of the chemical components of MAX: Ti exerts a catalytic attenuation effect on the UPR nanocomposites during combustion. Moreover, a better fire-safety property of the MXene/UPR nanocomposites (reduction of PHRR by 29.56%, TSP by 25.26%, and COP by 31.58%) than that of the MAX/UPR nanocomposites was achieved, which was due to the physical barrier effect of the MXene nanosheets. This study verifies that in addition to the physical barrier effect, the chemical components play a very important role in the fire safety enhancement of MXene-based nanocomposites.

Chitosan-based flame retardant coatings for polyamide 66 textiles: One-pot deposition versus layer-by-layer assembly

Chitosan (CS) and phosphorylated chitosan (PCS) were deposited onto the polyamide 66 (PA66) fabric surfaces along with poly-acrylate sodium (PAS) via ‘one pot’ and layer by layer (LbL) assembly methods in preparing flame retardant coatings. Subsequently, to stabilize the deposited coatings, some of the fabric samples were treated under the UV-irradiation and additionally, a thermal treatment was also carried out for the remaining fabric samples. The LbL assembled fabrics showed a better homogeneity in the coating structure over the one pot deposited fabrics as appeared in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nonetheless, the LbL treated fabric sample (i.e., PA66-10BL-UV) with a higher weight gain% exhibited a greater improvement in limiting oxygen index (LOI) (i.e., 23%), and a reduced peak heat release rate (pHRR) (i.e., 25%). Yet more, only the LbL assembled and thermally cross-linked fabric sample could able to retain the flame retardant behavior in the vertical burning test even after 5 washing cycles.

Flame retardant polyester fabric from nitrogen-rich low molecular weight additives within intumescent nanocoating

An intumescent nanocoating composed of chitosan (CH) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP), with and without low-molecular weight nitrogen and nitrogen/sulphur based derivatives, was deposited on polyester fabric using the layer-by-layer technique. Guanidine sulfamate (GSM), urea and thiourea were added to the aqueous chitosan deposition solution in an effort to improve flame retardancy. Exceptional self-extinguishing behavior is observed with a 10 bilayer (BL) CH:GSM/APP coated fabric. This water-based coating added 19.6 wt% to the polyester and reduced peak heat release rate by 61.7%, relative to uncoated fabric. Furthermore, the polyester is not fully ignitable because of earlier decomposition of GSM that helps to generate a thicker sponge-like char that acts as a physical barrier. This unique addition of low-molecular weight molecules in traditional intumescent polyelectrolyte pairs is a new opportunity for imparting flame retardancy to highly flammable synthetic fibers used in clothing and home furnishing.

Graphene platelets versus phosphorus compounds for elastomeric composites: flame retardancy, mechanical performance and mechanisms

Polymers are widely used but their flammability remains a serious issue causing fatalities and property damage. Herein we present an investigation into the effectiveness of graphene platelets (GnPs) to simultaneously improve the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). EPDM was melt compounded respectively with GnPs and a commercial flame retardant (ammonium polyphosphate, APP) to produce two groups of composites. Although both fillers were well dispersed in EPDM, GnPs significantly improved the mechanical properties of EPDM whilst APP compromised some of the mechanical properties particularly at high fractions. This difference was attributed to the filler particle size and interfacial bonding. Through cone calorimetry testing, 21 wt% char yield was recorded for the EPDM/GnP composite at 12.0 vol%, in comparison with 8 wt% for the EPDM/APP composite. APP was able to lower the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and specific mass loss rate (MLR), but unfortunately it decreased the ignition time and fire performance index (FPI). By contrast, GnPs has been found to increase ignition time by 29% and FPI by 62%, while still achieved the same level of reductions in PHRR and specific MLR, demonstrating clear advantages over APP. During combustion the highly thermally stable GnPs bonded with the viscous, degraded EPDM macromolecules, forming a thick solid char layer which prevented the transport of heat and smoke, contributing to its superior flame retarding performance over APP.

Bio-based layered double hydroxide nanocarrier toward fire-retardant epoxy resin with efficiently improved smoke suppression

Aiming to alleviate the low-temperature sublimation of ferrocene toward efficiently smoke-suppression epoxy resin (EP), the ferrocene molecule was inserted into the nanocavity of sulfonated cyclodextrin intercalated layered double hydroxide (LDH-CD) via host-guest chemistry. Adequate characterizations verified the targeted structure with one ferrocene molecule included into one cyclodextrin cavity. The resulting LDH-CD-Ferr formed a more uniform dispersion in EP matrix than LDH-CD. The comparative experiments demonstrated that 6 wt% LDH-CD-Ferr reduced the peak smoke production rate and total smoke production of EP matrix by 43% and 42% respectively due to the effectively shifted working temperature of ferrocene. The insightful mechanism investigation unveiled the condensed-phase behavior associated with higher-quality chars from catalytic charring reaction by retained ferrocene and the dominant vapor-phase behavior involved in the promoted combustion of smoke intermediate (soot). Additionally, 6 wt% LDH-CD-Ferr imparted EP matrix with increased limiting oxygen index (LOI) and reduced peak heat release rate by 5% and 36%. EP/6LDH-CD-Ferr was able to pass V-1 in UL-94 test relative to no rating of its counterparts. Also, in comparison to the simple mixture of LDH-CD and ferrocene, LDH-CD-Ferr presented the superiority in weakening the impact of ferrocene on the thermal stability of EP. In prospective, the host-guest chemistry offered an efficient approach to industrially utilizing ferrocene.

The effect of flame retardant-modified sepiolite nanofibers on thermal degradation and fire retardancy of low-density polyethylene

Flame retardant-modified sepiolite nanofiber (PSPHD-SEP) was fabricated through chemical grafting by introducing intumescent flame retardant oligomer (PSPHD) onto the surface of sepiolite fiber. Various sepiolite/low-density polyethylene (SEP/LDPE) composites have been prepared successfully via melt blending. The dispersion of various SEPs in LDPE matrix was observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The thermal degradation behaviors of various SEP/LDPE composites with 3 mass% acid-modified sepiolite fiber (a-SEP) or PSPHD-SEP have been investigated employing thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetry. The thermal degradation kinetics of neat LDPE, a-SEP/LDPE and PSPHD-SEP/LDPE systems was comparatively analyzed by means of Friedman and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods to further comprehend the effect of a-SEP and PSPHD-SEP on the thermal stability of LDPE. Due to the addition of PSPHD-SEP, the limiting oxygen index value of PSPHD-SEP/LDPE composite can reach 21.3%, and the UL-94V-2 rating is obtained. The cone calorimetry (CONE) tests showed that a reduced peak heat release rate can be achieved for PSPHD-SEP/LDPE composite accompanying with gas-phase fire retardant action.

Flame retardant finishing of the polyester/cotton blend fabric using a cross‐linkable hydroxy‐functional organophosphorus oligomer

SummaryBlend fabrics of cotton and polyester are widely used in apparel, but high flammability becomes a major obstacle for applications of those fabrics in fire protective clothing. The objective of this research was to investigate the flame retardant finishing of a 50/50 polyester/cotton blend fabric. It was discovered previously thatN,N′‐dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) was able to bond a hydroxy‐functional organophosphorus oligomer (HFPO) onto 50/50 nylon/cotton blend fabrics. In this research, the HFPO/DMDHEU system was applied to a 50/50 polyester/cotton twill fabric. The polyester/cotton fabric treated with 36% HFPO and 10% DMDHEU achieved char length of 165 mm after 20 laundering cycles. The laundering durability of the treated fabric was attributed to the formation of polymeric cross‐linked networks. The HFPO/DMDHEU system significantly reduced peak heat release rate (PHRR) of cotton on the treated polyester/cotton blend fabric, but its effects on polyester were marginal. HFPO/DMDHEU reduced PHRR of both nylon and cotton on the treated nylon/cotton fabric. It was also discovered that the nitrogen of DMDHEU was synergistic to enhance the flame retardant performance of HFPO on the polyester/cotton fabric.

Pectin-assisted dispersion of exfoliated boron nitride nanosheets for assembled bio-composite aerogels

Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) were prepared via the exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride in isopropyl alcohol. Extremely stable BNNSs dispersions were obtained after the ultrasonication in pectin aqueous suspensions, and the bio-composite aerogels were fabricated via the freeze-drying process. The digital photographs of pectin/BNNSs aqueous suspensions and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that there was a strong interfacial interaction between BNNSs and pectin macromolecular chains. Owing to the excellent dispersion and intensive interaction, the thermal stability, compressive strength and flame retardant properties of pectin/BNNSs bio-composite aerogels were significantly improved. Compared to neat pectin aerogel, pectin/BNNSs-2 (mass ratio of pectin and BNNSs, 10/1) possessed improved onset thermal decomposition temperature (by 9 °C), enhanced compressive strength (by 119%), reduced peak heat release rate (by 45%) and peak CO2 production (by 53%) at cone radiation intensity of 60 kW/m2. Residue analysis indicated that the presence of BNNSs promoted the carbonization of pectin aerogels.

Few layer deposition and sol-gel finishing of organic-inorganic compounds for improved flame retardant and hydrophilic properties of polyamide 66 textiles: A hybrid approach

A hybrid methodology, including a few layer deposition of bio-based polyelectrolytes, chitosan (CS) and phytic acid (PA), along with a sol-gel treatment from (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and boron doped APTES sol solutions, was followed in constructing a flame retardant and hydrophilic coating onto polyamide 66 (PA66) fabric surfaces. Layer by layer (LbL) assembled and simultaneously sol-gel treated PA66 fabric samples (i.e., PA66-5BL-APTES and PA66-5BL-B-d-APTES) could be able to stop the melt-dripping in vertical burning test. The boron doped APTES sol treated fabric samples with a 2–5 bi-layers deposition showed a reduced peak heat release rate (pHRR) (i.e., 22–30 % reduction) in cone calorimetry test and revealed improved thermal stability in thermogravimetric analysis test. More interestingly, the boron doped silica sol could boost up the hydrophilicity of the treated fabrics significantly compared to only LbL and simultaneously LbL deposited and silica sol treated fabric samples. Furthermore, only the 5 bi-layers deposited and concurrently sol-gel treated fabric samples exhibited durable flame retardant behavior after laundering.

THE EFFECT OF MONTMORILLONITE CLAY AND FIRE RETARDANTS ON THE HEAT OF COMBUSTION OF RECYCLED ACRYLONITRILE-BUTADIENE STYRENE

The combustion behavior of several polymers was studied with a cone calorimeter, while the samples were based on a recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) and as additives were considered: organic montmorillonite (OMT) and a mixture of two fire retardants (FR). The samples structure and thermal properties are characterized by means of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray Powder Diffraction(XRD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and cone calorimeter. The main objective of this article is to study the effect of OMT and FR adding into a recycled ABS combustion behavior. Results show that the addition of the fire retardants into the reABS+OMT matrix created a relevant effect on the phase morphology of the samples while the nanocomposite and fire retardant improves the thermal stability of reABS matrix, as measured by cone calorimeter. If it refers to peak heat release rate (PHRR), one can see a reduction in PHRR when FR and OMT are added to the reABS matrix. More precisely, the PHRR decrease is about 263% if 1%OMT and 18% FR are added to the samples. The sole addition of clay in polymers decreases significantly the peak heat release rate, while FR addition plays a relevant role.

A flame‐retardant composite foam: foaming polyurethane in melamine formaldehyde foam skeleton

AbstractA composite foam, polyurethane–melamine formaldehyde (PU/MF) foam, was prepared through foaming PU resins in the three‐dimensional netlike skeleton of MF foam. The chemical structure, morphology, cell size and distribution, flame retardancy, thermal properties and mechanical properties of such composite foam were systematically investigated. It was found that the PU/MF foam possessed better fire retardancy than pristine PU foam and achieved self‐extinguishment. Moreover, no melt dripping occurred due to the contribution of the carbonized MF skeleton network. In order to further improve the flame retardancy of the composite foam, a small amount of a phosphorus flame retardant (ammonium polyphosphate) and a char‐forming agent (pentaerythritol) were incorporated into the foam, together with the nitrogen‐rich MF, thus constituting an intumescent flame‐retardant (IFR) system. Owing to the IFR system, the flame‐retardant PU/MF foam can generate a large bulk of expanded char acting as an efficient shielding layer to hold back the diffusion of heat and oxygen. As a result, the flame‐retardant PU/MF foam achieved a higher limiting oxygen index of 31.2% and exhibited immediate self‐extinguishment. It exhibited significantly reduced peak heat release rate and total heat release, as well as higher char residual ratio compared to PU foam. Furthermore, the composite foam also showed obviously improved mechanical performance in comparison with PU foam. Overall, the present investigation provided a new approach for fabricating a polymer composite foam with satisfactory flame retardancy and good comprehensive properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

Synthesis and study of mechanical and fire retardant properties of (carboxymethyl cellulose -g-polyacrylonitrile)/montmorillonite biodegradable nanocomposite

Despite abundant researches on petroleum based polymer nanocomposites over micro and macro composites, these nanocomposites suffer from deprived biodegradability, highly inherent flammability and less mechanical strength. The present work describes the preparation of a biodegradable nanocomposite based on carboxymethyl cellulose-g-polyacrylonitrile (CMC-g-PAN) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay by using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator, methylene bis-acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker via emulsifier free emulsion polymerisation. The formation of the nanocomposites was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. The formation of CMC-g-PAN copolymer was confirmed by means of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra. The improvement in thermal stability of the nanocomposites over copolymer was outstanding. More importantly, incorporating MMT enables the nanocomposite to achieve a dramatically reduced peak heat release rate of 536 ± 03 kW m−2 shown in cone calorimetry tests and higher limiting oxygen index (LOI) value indicating improved fire retardancy. In addition, the tensile strength of the nanocomposite was also increased by around 41% with 5% w/v MMT contents. This is explained on the basis of strong interfacial adhesion between CMC and MMT through PAN. Meanwhile for its better commercialization, the eco-friendly nature was studied via biodegradation.

Ammonium Polyphosphate Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide and Zinc Borate as Highly Efficient Flame Retardant Nanofillers for Polypropylene.

We found in our previous study that layered double hydroxides (LDHs) which undergo aqueous miscible organic solvent treatment (AMOST) can tune the hydrophobicity surface of LDHs to be hydrophobic, and then the solvent mixing method can be used to prepare polymer/LDH nanocomposites. However, flame retardant property is not very high if LDHs are only used. In this present work, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) intercalated LDHs and zinc borate (ZB) was incorporated into a polypropylene (PP) matrix using the solvent mixing method. The structures, morphologies, and performance of the composites were characterized carefully. The peak heat release rate (PHRR) reduction of PP containing 10 and 20 wt % APP-LDH reached 27% and 55%, respectively, which increased up to 63% compared with PP/CO3-LDH. After incorporating 2 wt % ZB in the PP/APP-LDH system, the flame retardant property was further improved. Polypropylene composites with 20 wt % APP-LDH and 2 wt % ZB showed a 58% PHRR reduction. In addition, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) results indicated that the addition of APP-LDH and ZB improved the temperature at 50% weight loss (T50%) and the char formation of the materials significantly.

Keratinous Fiber Based Intumescent Flame Retardant with Controllable Functional Compound Loading

An intumescent flame retardant working with various combinations of acid source, blowing agent, and char former promises high performance and low toxicity. However, the research for more potent functional constituents and their best combination is still extremely important. Here we report on a novel way to use keratinous fibers as the host material for creating an effective flame retardant. A simple solution-based treatment to implant amine phosphate and phosphoric acid in the fiber through sequential monomer infiltration is found to be significantly effective for applying flame retardancy and reducing the flammability of polymeric materials. After the flame-retardant fiber modification, polypropylene (PP) shows significantly improved flame retardancy to achieve V-0 grade and >70% reduced peak heat release rate in vertical burning and cone-calorimeter tests, respectively. We expect this strategy of converting the low-grade keratinous fiber to valuable flame-retardant material to become a novel and attract...

Rapid mass calorimeter as a high-throughput screening method for the development of flame-retarded TPU

The rapid mass calorimeter (RMC) was used as a screening tool based on accelerated fire testing to assess flame-retarded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The reliability of RMC results was proven with the cone calorimeter as reference fire test. The influence of melamine cyanurate (MC) concentration on the fire performance of TPU was investigated, along with some flame-retardant combinations such as MC with aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi), aluminium trihydrate (ATH), and melamine polyphosphate (MPP). The two-stage burning behaviour of TPU was investigated in detail; the first stage corresponds mainly to the hard segments' decomposition and has a much lower effective heat of combustion (EHC) than the second stage, in which mainly the soft segments decompose and an intensive liquid pool fire is observed in the cone calorimeter set-up. In addition to fire testing with the cone calorimeter, RMC, and UL 94 flammability tests, the decomposition of the materials was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with infrared spectrometry (TG–FTIR). TPU/MC/AlPi shows the most promising results, achieving V-0 classification in UL 94 and reducing the extreme peak heat release rate (PHRR) of the liquid pool fire from 3154 kW/m2 to 635 kW/m2. Using MC/AlPi/MPP enhances the latter PHRR reduction further. The decomposition products identified in the gas phase via TG–FTIR reveal specific MC–AlPi–MPP interactions, as they differ from products seen in systems with MC/AlPi or MC/MPP. Correlations between RMC and cone calorimeter results were examined and presented in the final part of the paper. Several characteristics correlate strongly, pointing out that RMC is a reliable high-throughput fire testing method to screen multicomponent flame-retardant solutions in TPU.

Polydopamine-bridged synthesis of ternary h-BN@PDA@SnO2 as nanoenhancers for flame retardant and smoke suppression of epoxy composites

The potential prospect of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) in the fields of polymer composites is severely limited by undesirable exfoliation efficiency and chemical inertness. Herein, bio-based dopamine was employed toward exfoliating bulk h-BN with hydrogen bond action and imparting a highly-active surface. With assistance of polypodamine, SnO2 nanoparticles were in-situ synthesized and strengthened the interfacial interaction between h-BN and epoxy (EP) matrix. The integrated function of metal oxide/h-BN toward flame retardant and smoke suppression of polymer materials was firstly studied and obtained, in term of reduced peak heat release rate (decreased by 41.1%), lower total heat release (decreased by 30.1%), and suppressed total smoke production (decreased by 21.6%). In addition, the mechanism for enhancements on flame retardant and smoke suppression of EP composites was systematically investigated. Such a design route simultaneously achieves the exfoliation and functionalization of h-BN, thus offering an active platform for further functionalization modification.

Quantifying effects of graphene nanoplatelets on slowing down combustion of epoxy composites

Abstract This paper investigates the effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on combustion behaviour of epoxy resin (ER). In particular it presents, for the first time, a numerical modelling methodology that quantifies the effects of GNP in reducing the peak rate of heat release of epoxy resin with different amounts and types of GNP. Five different GNP/ER composites were prepared via the solution mixing method. Geometric characteristics and dispersion state of GNP in epoxy resin were characterized by three-dimensional (3D) X-ray CT scan. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests were carried out on pure epoxy and GNP/ER composites in N2. Bench-scale cone calorimeter tests were used to obtain combustion properties of the prepared nanocomposites. These test results provide input data for validating the modelling methodology. The cone calorimeter tests found significantly lower peak heat release rate (PHRR) for GNP/ER composites than pure epoxy. For example, at 3 wt% GNP loading, the PHRR was reduced by 47%. This drastic reduction in PHRR due to GNP is attributed to two principal contributions of GNP: reduced permeability to slow down movement of volatiles to the surface to cause combustion, and reduced radiant conductivity of GNP/ER at high temperatures owing to GNP being able to promote the formation of a continuous and compact char layer, which decreases temperatures and hence slows down chemical reactions. This paper provides a new method, through numerical pyrolysis modelling, to quantify these two contributions and their effects in reducing PHRR of GNP/ER. A comparison between numerical simulation results and test results confirms assumptions of this quantitative method. This simulation model has the potential to improve material design process of graphene based composites and predict the fire behaviour of such composites in realistic fire conditions.

Fire-Resistant, Strong, and Green Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Poly(lactic acid) and Core–Shell Nanofibrous Flame Retardants

Despite extraordinary mechanical properties and excellent biodegradability, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) still suffers from a highly inherent flammability, restricting its wide applications in the electric and automobile fields. Although a wide range of flame retardants have been developed to reduce the flammability, so far, they normally compromise the mechanical strength of PLA. Herein, we have demonstrated the fabrication of a novel core–shell nanofibrous flame-retardant system, PN-FR@CNF, through in situ chemically grafting the phosphorus–nitrogen-based polymer onto the cellulose nanofiber (CNF) surface. The results show that adding 10 wt % PN-FR@CNF enables PLA to achieve a V-0 flame resistance rating during vertical burning tests and to exhibit a dramatically reduced peak heat release rate in cone calorimetry measurements, indicating a significantly reduced flammability. In addition, the tensile strength of PLA also increases by around 24% (about 72 MPa). This work offers an innovative methodology for th...

Facile Construction of Flame-Retardant-Wrapped Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets for Properties Enhancement of Thermoplastic Polyurethane

A simple method is presented here of organically modified molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) hindering the restack process of MoS2 nanosheets and enhancing interface interactions with a polymer matrix. The obtained f-MoS2 was introduced into a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix to enhence its properties. Incorporated f-MoS2 nanosheets resulted in a dramatic suppression of fire hazards of TPU in terms of reduced peak heat-release rate (decreased by 45.4%), low gas degradation yield, and formation of a compact and robust char layer. After adding 2.0 wt % f-MoS2, the tensile strength of TPU increased by 40.9%. These significant reinforcements can be attributed to the tripartite cooperative mechanism of the strong interface interaction between f-MoS2 and the TPU matrix, the barrier effect of layered materials, and the catalyst action of MoS2. The facile approach can provide a novel strategy to modify MoS2 nanosheets and extend its practical application in the field of polymer composites.

Self-assembly of exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and layered double hydroxide (LDH): Towards reducing fire hazards of epoxy

In present study, LDH/MoS2 hybrids were facilely prepared by self-assembly of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets and LDH via electrostatic force. The structure and morphology of the LDH/MoS2 hybrids were characterized and then introduced into epoxy for reducing its fire hazards. Compared with single MoS2, LDH/MoS2 hybrids showed a more homogeneous dispersion in the epoxy matrix and no obvious agglomerates were observed. Compared with MoS2, the addition of LDH/MoS2 hybrids endowed more excellent fire resistance to epoxy matrix, which was reflected by the significantly reduced peak heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke production. A rational flame retardant mode of action for LDH/MoS2 hybrids was proposed based on the analysis of pyrolysis fragments and char residues.