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Vol. 17 (2025)

Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets Incorporated Hierarchical Hydrogen Bonding Polymer Networks for Transparent and Fire-Proof Ceramizable Coatings

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01646-y
Bifan Guo
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Yimin He
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Yongming Chen
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Tianci Yang
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Chaohua Peng
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Weiang Luo
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Birong Zeng
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Yiting Xu
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China
Lizong Dai
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Fire Retardant Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Lizong Dai

lzdai@xmu.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 116

Abstract

In recent decades, annual urban fire incidents, including those involving ancient wooden buildings burned, transportation, and solar panels, have increased, leading to significant loss of human life and property. Addressing this issue without altering the surface morphology or interfering with optical behavior of flammable materials poses a substantial challenge. Herein, we present a transparent, low thickness, ceramifiable nanosystem coating composed of a highly adhesive base (poly(SSS1-co-HEMA1)), nanoscale layered double hydroxide sheets as ceramic precursors, and supramolecular melamine di-borate as an accelerator. We demonstrate that this hybrid coating can transform into a porous, fire-resistant protective layer with a highly thermostable vitreous phase upon exposure to flame/heat source. A nanosystem coating of just ~ 100 μm thickness can significantly increase the limiting oxygen index of wood (Pine) to 37.3%, dramatically reduce total heat release by 78.6%, and maintain low smoke toxicity (CITG = 0.016). Detailed molecular force analysis, combined with a comprehensive examination of the underlying flame-retardant mechanisms, underscores the effectiveness of this coating. This work offers a strategy for creating efficient, environmentally friendly coatings with fire safety applications across various industries.


Highlights:
1 A transparent and ceramizable coating was developed by incorporating nano-layered double hydroxide nanosheets into hierarchical hydrogen bonding polymer networks.
2 The resulting coating composites demonstrated excellent high-temperature stability and fire resistance, effectively withstanding the direct exposure to a butane flame (~ 1100 °C) in air atmosphere.
3 The mechanisms behind the flame-retardant behavior and ceramicization behaviors were thoroughly investigated and explained.

Keywords

Nanocomposites Supramolecular Flame retardancy Ceramic-like char layer Fire protection
Guo, Bifan, Yimin He, Yongming Chen, Tianci Yang, Chaohua Peng, Weiang Luo, Birong Zeng, Yiting Xu, and Lizong Dai. 2025. “Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets Incorporated Hierarchical Hydrogen Bonding Polymer Networks for Transparent and Fire-Proof Ceramizable Coatings”. Nano-Micro Letters 17 (January):116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01646-y.
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