Fire-safe epoxy composite realized by MXenes based nanostructure with vertically arrayed MOFs derived from interfacial assembly strategy

In this contribution, Ni-based metal organic frameworks (Ni-MOF) nanosheets with high specific surface area are grown on transition metals carbides (MXenes, denoted as MX) surface via vertical alignment, gestating the flame retardant of MX@MOF-B. With the addition of 2.0 wt% MX@MOF-B, the peak heat release rate, peak smoke production rate, peak CO production rate, peak CO₂ production rate are reduced by 42.5 %, 26.7 %, 37.8 %, 54.9 %, while the peak concentrations of C₂H₆, CH₄, HCN, NO, N₂O are impaired by 91.3 %, 94.3 %, 89.6 %, 90.3 %, 60.9 %, suggesting the enhanced fire safety. Meantime, the fire performance index is elevated by 83.0 % and fire growth index is reduced by 37.2 %, demonstrating the promoted fire safety. Of note, the using of MX@MOF-B induces the promotion of 787.1 % in char yield after combustion, which shows higher graphitized degree and thus enables better protection for basal matrix. Flame retardation contrast with previous works also manifests the strength of MX@MOF-B in hindering the heat release and toxicants emission. This work offers a new paradigm for forging fire-safe polymer composites with low toxicity. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.