Multifunctional Flame-Retardant, Thermal Insulation, and Antimicrobial Wood-Based Composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Wood Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Wood's flammability presents significant fire risks in various applications.
• Enhancing wood's flame retardancy is crucial for safety and expanded use.
• Existing methods for wood flame retardancy often face challenges in efficacy and environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel phytic acid-based flame retardant (AMPA).
• To develop a composite wood material with improved flame retardancy, antimicrobial, and thermal insulation properties.
• To provide a feasible method for creating advanced wood-based materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized AMPA using supramolecular reactions between melamine, p-amino-benzene sulfonic acid, and phytic acid.
• Prepared composite wood by delignification to create a mesoporous structure.
• Coated AMPA onto the surfaces of wood microchannels.

Main Results:

• Achieved a limiting oxygen index of 52.5% for wood with 5.6 wt % AMPA.
• Reduced the peak heat release rate by 81% compared to delignified wood.
• Demonstrated excellent flame-retardant performance, alongside antimicrobial and thermal insulation functions.

Conclusions:

• The developed AMPA and mesoporous wood composite exhibits superior flame retardancy.
• The composite material offers additional benefits including antimicrobial and thermal insulation properties.
• This study presents a viable approach for producing high-performance flame-retardant wood for diverse applications.