Title:The Role of Graphene in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials: Recent Advances
VOLUME: 2 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Giulio Malucelli*
Affiliation:Department of Applied Science and Technology and Local INSTM Unit, Politecnico di Torino, Viale Teresa Michel 5, Alessandria
Keywords:Barrier properties, char, flame retardancy, graphene, graphene oxide, polymer nanocomposites, synergistic effects.
Abstract:Background: From its discovery, graphene has become a very fascinating nanomaterial,
thanks to its structure that determines peculiar (and unique) mechanical, electrical and thermal properties.
Thus, graphene has stimulated and is still motivating several researchers to widen its potentialities
that are currently being exploited in different application sectors, comprising catalysis and energy,
nanoelectronics, quantum physics and the design and manufacturing of advanced nanocomposite materials
and biomaterials. Being a carbon source, already organized in a well-ordered morphology, graphene
is nowadays starting to experience a different application, i.e. in the fire retardancy of polymers,
foams and textiles, often in combination with other flame retardant additives or nanofillers, with
which graphene can often act in a synergistic way. In fact, it is well reported in the scientific literature
that graphene and its derivatives can play a key role either in slowing down the flame propagation or
even in providing self-extinction to the thermoplastic or thermosetting matrices, where the nanofiller
is incorporated in; furthermore, by exploiting surface engineered approaches, it is possible to design
very effective flame retardant coatings on textile substrates.
Objective: This paper aims at reviewing the current state-of-the-art about the use of graphene and its
derivatives as efficient flame retardant additives for different polymeric materials, highlighting the
current limitations/achievements and discussing some possible future developments.
