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Cellulose-Based Flame-Retardant Materials: Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Design Strategies
Jiansong Chen1, Haishun Du2, Xuejun Pan1
1Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States.
Biomacromolecules
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Flame-retardant cellulose materials offer sustainable alternatives but face flammability challenges. This review details combustion science, evaluation methods, and design strategies for safer, high-performance cellulose applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Combustion Science
Background:
- Cellulose-based materials are sustainable alternatives to petroleum polymers.
- Inherent flammability limits their use in fire-sensitive applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a systematic overview of flame-retardant cellulose-based materials.
- To cover combustion fundamentals, fire-performance evaluation, and design strategies.
Main Methods:
- Discussed thermal decomposition behavior of cellulose.
- Examined fire-performance evaluation methods (TGA, LOI, vertical burning, cone calorimetry).
- Reviewed preparation approaches (blending, coating, modification, grafting).
Main Results:
- Highlighted phosphorus-, nitrogen-, boron-, silicon-, and metal-based flame retardant systems.
- Illustrated condensed-phase, gas-phase, and synergistic flame-retardant effects.
- Detailed flame-retardant mechanisms and design strategies.
Conclusions:
- Emphasized integrating combustion principles with material design for developing sustainable, halogen-free, flame-retardant cellulose.
- Identified challenges in durability, multifunctionality, mechanistic understanding, and scalable manufacturing.
- Outlined future opportunities for advanced flame-retardant cellulose materials.
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