Hierarchical Ti3C2Tx@BPA@PCL for flexible polyurethane foam capable of anti-compression, self-extinguishing and flame-retardant

It is of great importance to fabricate flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) with superior mechanical properties and flame retardancy for practical applications. Herein, organosilicon and phenyl phosphorus compounds were synthesized and grafted on the surface of Ti3C2Tx (Ti3C2Tx@BPA@PCL) via in-situ polymerization. Then, the FPUF composites were fabricated, combining intrinsic flame retardancy (9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide-diethanolamine: DH-DOPO) (addition amount: 20 wt%) and Ti3C2Tx@BPA@PCL (addition amount: 4 wt%). Attributed to the rigid structure of Ti3C2Tx@BPA@PCL, the tensile strength and compression strength of FPUF showed 24.0% and 253% increase, respectively. In addition, anti-fatigue properties of FPUF composites during the cyclical test were dramatically enhanced. In contrast to pure FPUF, 36.1% and 44.0% reductions in peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) were achieved for the FPUF containing Ti3C2Tx@BPA@PCL and DH-DOPO, the production rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon oxide (CO) also decreased by 40.3% and 52.1%, respectively. FPUF4 showed self-extinguishing behavior, and passed the vertical burning test (VBT). This work provides a facile approach to preparing high-performance FPUF with enhanced mechanical property and flame retardancy.

Automated summary

This study fabricates flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) composites with superior mechanical properties and flame retardancy by in-situ polymerization of organosilicon and phenyl phosphorus compounds on the surface of Ti3C2Tx (Ti3C2Tx@BPA@PCL). The addition of intrinsic flame retardancy and Ti3C2Tx@BPA@PCL enhances the tensile strength, compression strength, flame retardancy, and anti-fatigue properties of FPUF. The FPUF composites exhibit a significant reduction in peak heat release rate, total heat release, and the production rate of carbon dioxide and carbon oxide, achieving self-extinguishing behavior.