Effects of dispersion and fixation of collagen fiber network on its flame retardancy

Covalently surface-grafting α‑zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets enables collagen fiber matrix with ultraviolet barrier, antibacterial, and flame-retardant properties

Manipulating the dispersibility and reactivity of two-dimensional nanomaterials in collagen fibers (CFs) matrix has aroused attention in the fabrication of multifunctional collagen-based nanocomposites. Here, α‑zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets (ZrP NPs) were surface-functionalized with gallic acid (GA) to afford ZrP-GA NPs for engineering CFs matrix. The influence of ZrP-GA NPs on the ultraviolet barrier, antibacterial, and flame-retardant properties of resultant CFs matrix were investigated. Microstructural analysis revealed that ZrP-GA NPs were dispersed and bound within the collagen fibrils and onto the collagen strands in the CFs matrix. The resultant CFs matrix also maintained typical D-periodic structures of collagen fibrils and native branching and interwoven structures of CFs networks with increased porosity and enhanced ultraviolet barrier properties. Inhibition zone testing presented excellent antibacterial activities of the CFs matrix owing to surface grafting of antibacterial GA. Thanks to enhanced dispersion and binding of ZrP NPs with the CFs matrix by surface-functionalization with GA, the resultant CFs matrix reduced the peak heat release rate and the total heat release by 42.9 % and 39.0 %, respectively, highlighting improved flame-retardant properties. We envision that two-dimensional nanomaterials possess great potential in developing reasonable collagen-based nanocomposites towards the manufacture of emergent multifunctional collagen fibers-based wearable electronics.

Influence of the Crystal Structure of Melamine Trimetaphosphate 2D Supramolecules on the Properties of Polyamide 6

To explore the influence of the crystal structure difference of melamine trimetaphosphate (MAP) on the application performance of its polymer composites, an intumescent flame retardant with the optimal crystal type was designed and synthesized to improve the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of polyamide 6 (PA6). I-MAP and II-MAP were obtained using different concentrations of MA and sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) in an acidic aqueous solution. The morphology, chemical composition, and thermal stability were comprehensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The dispersion, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy of PA6/I-MAP and PA6/II-MAP were evaluated by SEM, stress and strain, limiting oxygen index test (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), cone calorimetry (CONE) test, and char residue analysis. The conclusion is as follows: I-MAP and II-MAP have a greater influence on the physical properties of PA6 but less influence on the chemical properties. Compared with PA6/I-MAP, the tensile strength of PA6/II-MAP is 104.7% higher, the flame rating reaches V-0, and PHRR is reduced by 11.2%.

A Biomimetic Textile with Self-Assembled Hierarchical Porous Fibers for Thermal Insulation

Natural biomaterials with a porous structure inspired smart textiles for personal thermal management. Inspired by the hierarchically fibrous structure of hides, self-assembled hierarchical fibers with cross-scale porous networks are fabricated by the facile wet-spinning method. The biomimetic textile (abbreviated as "T") woven by such fibers exhibits a low thermal conductivity (0.07 W/mK) comparable to that of cowhide. It also shows a high mechanical strength of up to 10 MPa as well as good flexibility (fracture strain exceeds 300%) and hydrophobicity. The heat conduction mechanism of the hierarchical structure is analyzed via finite element simulation. When immersed with the phase-change material, the textile (named as "P") works like an adipose layer. Integration of the layers of T and P effectively slows down the heat conduction and decreases the surface temperature, resembling an animal insulation system. The study paves the way to mass production of high-performance biomimetic materials with hierarchical cellular microstructures for application in thermal insulation.

Effects of collagen fiber addition on the combustion and thermal stability of natural rubber

Abstract

Collagen fiber (CF) and silane coupling agent-modified collagen fiber (MCF) were used as flame retardant filler for natural rubber (NR) modification. The combustion phenomena and properties of composites blended with different dosages of CF or MCF were compared to elucidate the flame retardant mechanism of the composites. The flame retardancy of NR can be enhanced effectively by increasing nitrogen content (the nitrogen content of CF is about 18%), creating air pockets, and structuring the flame retardant network in the composites. MCF failed to structure a flame retardant network in the composite, indicating that its modification effects of MCF are weaker than those of CF. When CF dosage was 30 wt%, the composite can achieve the best flame retardancy, with limited oxygen index of 29.4% and without smoke and dripping during burning. This study demonstrated a new method for the flame retardant modification of NR.

Graphical abstract