Abstract
Wood, a readily available and sustainable natural resource, has found widespread use in construction and furniture. However, its inherent flammability poses a potential fire risk. Although intumescent fire-retardant coatings effectively mitigate this risk, achieving high transparency in such coatings presents a significant challenge. In our approach, we employed a cross-linked network of phytic acid anion and N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium cation to create a transparent “three-in-one” intumescent coating. The collaborative P/N/Si flame-retardant effect markedly improved the intumescent char-forming capability, preventing the wood from rapid decomposition. This resulted in a substantial reduction in heat release (13.9% decrease in THR) and an increased limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 35.5%. Crucially, the high transparency of the coating ensured minimal impact on the wood’s appearance, allowing the natural wood grains to remain clearly visible. This innovative approach provides a straightforward method for developing transparent intumescent flame-retardant coatings suitable for wooden substrates. The potential applications extend to preserving ancient buildings and heritage conservation efforts.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The authors’ contact information: 2022322030100@stu.scu.edu.cn (L.Z.), haibor7@163.com (H.B.Z.)
References
Zhang, M. F.; Wang, D.; Li, T.; Jiang, J.; Bai, H. Y.; Wang, S. B.; Wang, Y.; Dong, W. F. Multifunctional flame-retardant, thermal insulation, and antimicrobial wood-based composites. Biomacromolecules 2023, 24, 957–966.
Kolibaba, T. J.; Vest, N. A.; Grunlan, J. C. Polyelectrolyte photopolymer complexes for flame retardant wood. Mater. Chem. Front. 2022, 6, 1630–1636.
Zhao, X. J.; Liang, Z. W.; Huang, Y. B.; Hai, Y.; Zhong, X. D.; Xiao, S.; Jiang, S. H. Influence of phytic acid on flame retardancy and adhesion performance enhancement of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel coating to wood substrate. Prog. Org. Coatings 2021, 161, 106453.
Yi, L.; Yang, Q.; Yan, L.; Wang, N. A facile strategy to construct ZnO nanoparticles reinforced transparent fire-retardant coatings for achieving antibacterial activity and long-term fire protection of wood substrates. J. Building Eng. 2023, 72, 106630.
Wang, K. H.; Wang, S. H.; Meng, D.; Chen, D.; Mu, C. Z.; Li, H. F.; Sun, J.; Gu, X. Y.; Zhang, S. A facile preparation of environmentally-benign and flame-retardant coating on wood by comprising polysilicate and boric acid. Cellulose 2021, 28, 11551–11566.
Zhong, J.; Huang, Y. S.; Chen, Y. T.; Li, L. P.; Guo, C. G. Synthesis of eugenol-modified epoxy resin and application on wood flame retardant coating. Indust. Crops Products 2022, 183, 114979.
Lu, J. H.; Jiang, P.; Chen, Z. L.; Li, L. M.; Huang, Y. X. Flame retardancy, thermal stability, and hygroscopicity of wood materials modified with melamine and amino trimethylene phosphonic acid. Constr. Building Mater. 2021, 267, 121042.
Barthélemy, J. Avoiding predictable surprises: lessons from the fire at Notre Dame de Paris. Organizational Dynamics 2023, 52, 100966.
Song, K. L.; Ganguly, I.; Eastin, I.; Dichiara, A. High temperature and fire behavior of hydrothermally modified wood impregnated with carbon nanomaterials. J. Hazard. Mater. 2020, 384, 121283.
Yan, D.; Chen, D.; Tan, J.; Yuan, L. P.; Huang, Z. Z.; Zou, D. F.; Sun, P. H.; Tao, Q.; Deng, J. Y.; Hu, Y. C., Synergistic flame retardant effect of a new N-P flame retardant on poplar wood density board. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2023, 211, 110331.
Sykam, K.; Hussain, S. S.; Sivanandan, S.; Narayan, R.; Basak, P. Non-halogenated UV-curable flame retardants for wood coating applications: review. Prog. Org. Coatings 2023, 179, 107549.
Puyadena, M.; Etxeberria, I.; Martin, L.; Mugica, A.; Agirre, A.; Cobos, M.; Gonzalez, A.; Barrio, A.; Irusta, L. Polyurethane/acrylic hybrid dispersions containing phosphorus reactive flame retardants as transparent coatings for wood. Prog. Org. Coatings 2022, 170, 107005.
Zhang, J. Y.; Zeng, F. R.; Liu, B. W.; Wang, Z. H.; Lin, X. C.; Zhao, H. B.; Wang, Y. Z. A biomimetic closed-loop recyclable, long-term durable, extreme-condition resistant, flame-retardant nanocoating synthesized by reversible flocculation assembly. Mater. Horiz. 2023, 10, 4551–4561.
Li, L. M.; Chen, Z. L.; Lu, J. H.; Wei, M.; Huang, Y. X.; Jiang, P. Combustion behavior and thermal degradation properties of wood impregnated with intumescent biomass flame retardants: phytic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, and glycerol. ACS Omega 2021, 6, 3921–3930.
Hao, W. T.; Zheng, Q. N.; Zhong, Y. N. J.; Meng, X. K.; Wang, H. L.; Qiu, L. Z.; Lu, H. B.; Huang, Y. P.; Yang, W. An eco-friendly and facile method to prepare waterborne polyurethane based fire-resistant & waterproof coatings for wood protection. Prog. Org. Coatings 2023, 185, 107892.
Chen, M. X.; Dai, J. Y.; Zhang, L. Y.; Wang, S. P.; Liu, J. K.; Wu, Y. G.; Ba, X. W.; Liu, X. Q. The role of renewable protocatechol acid in epoxy coating modification: significantly improved antibacterial and adhesive properties. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2024, 42, 63–72.
Li, C. B.; Wang, F.; Sun, R. Y.; Nie, W. C.; Song, F.; Wang, Y. Z. A multifunctional coating towards superhydrophobicity, flame retardancy and antibacterial performances. Chem. Eng. J. 2022, 450, 138031.
Wang, Z. H.; Liu, B. W.; Zeng, F. R.; Lin, X. C.; Zhang, J. Y.; Wang, X. L.; Wang, Y. Z.; Zhao, H. B. Fully recyclable multifunctional adhesive with high durability, transparency, flame retardancy, and harsh-environment resistance. Sci. Adv. 2022, 8, eadd8527.
Zhang, Y. L.; Ma, Z. L.; Ruan, K. P.; Gu, J. W. Multifunctional Ti3C2Tx-(Fe3O4/polyimide) composite films with Janus structure for outstanding electromagnetic interference shielding and superior visual thermal management. Nano Res. 2022, 15, 5601–5609.
Wang, T.; Long, M. C.; Zhao, H. B.; An, W. L.; Xu, S. M.; Deng, C.; Wang, Y. Z. Temperature- responsive intumescent chemistry toward fire resistance and super thermal insulation under extremely harsh conditions. Chem. Mater. 2021, 33, 6018–6028.
Tian, Y. C.; Wang, C. Y.; Ai, Y. F.; Tang, L. C.; Cao, K. Phytate-based transparent and waterproof intumescent flame-retardant coating for protection of wood. Mater. Chem. Phys. 2023, 294, 127000.
Yan, L.; Xu, Z. S.; Liu, D. L. Synthesis and application of novel magnesium phosphate ester flame retardants for transparent intumescent fire-retardant coatings applied on wood substrates. Prog. Org. Coatings 2019, 129, 327–337.
Zhang, L.; Zheng, G. Q.; Chen, X. L.; Guo, S. Q.; Zeng, F. R.; Liu, B. W.; Zeng, X. L.; Lan, X. S.; Wang, Y. Z.; Zhao, H. B. Smart self-puffing phosphite-protonated siloxane network enables multifunctional transparent protection. ACS Mater. Lett. 2023, 5(9), 2398–2407.
Wang, Y. C.; Zhao, J. P. Benign design of intumescent flame retardant coating incorporated various carbon sources. Constr. Building Mater. 2020, 236, 117433.
Jin, W. J.; He, W. L.; Gu, L.; Cheng, X. W.; Guan, J. P. An eco-friendly and intumescent P/N/S-containing flame retardant coating for polyamide 6 fabric. Eur. Polym. J. 2022, 180, 111610.
Liu, B. W.; Zhao, H. B.; Wang, Y. Z. Advanced flame-retardant methods for polymeric materials. Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, e2107905.
Yang, J. Y.; Xia, Y.; Zhao, J.; Yi, L. F.; Song, Y. J.; Wu, H.; Guo, S. Y.; Zhao, L. J.; Wu, J. R. Flame-retardant and self-healing biomass aerogels based on electrostatic assembly. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 38, 1294–1304.
Bui, H. L.; Huang, C. J. Tough polyelectrolyte hydrogels with antimicrobial property via incorporation of natural multivalent phytic acid. Polymers 2019, 11, 1721.
Zhang, T.; Yan, H. Q.; Shen, L.; Fang, Z. P.; Zhang, X. M.; Wang, J. J.; Zhang, B. Y. Chitosan/phytic acid polyelectrolyte complex: a green and renewable intumescent flame retardant system for ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. Industr. Engin. Chem. Res. 2014, 53, 19199–19207.
Huang, H.; Wu, C.; Wu, S. Q.; Pan, R. Q.; Yin, L. H.; Jin, X. Y.; Pan, Y. W.; Wang, H. B.; Yan, X. J.; Hong, C. Q.; Han, W. B.; Zhang, X. H. Super-flexible, thermostable and superhydrophobic polyimide/silicone interpenetrating aerogels for conformal thermal insulating and strain sensing applications. Chem. Eng. J. 2022, 441, 136032.
Suttie, E.; Ekstedt, J. Evaluation of a method to determine discoloration of paints on wood due to tannin staining from knots. Surface Coatings Inter. Part B: Coatings Transactions 2004, 87, 57–61.
Yalcin, M.; Pelit, H.; Akcay, C.; Cakicier, N. Surface properties of tannin-impregnated and varnished beech wood after exposure to accelerated weathering. Coloration Technol. 2017, 133, 334–340.
Coniglio, R.; Gaschler, W.; Clavijo, L. Wate-based system to prevent the yellowing of opaque coatings on knotted pine wood. J. Coatings Technol. Res. 2023, 20, 781–788.
Borodina, E.; Karpov, S. I.; Selemenev, V. F.; Schwieger, W.; Maracke, S.; Fröba, M.; Rößner, F. Surface and texture properties of mesoporous silica materials modified by silicon-organic compounds containing quaternary amino groups for their application in base-catalyzed reactions. Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 2015, 203, 224–231.
Wang, L. Y.; Li, L. S.; Fan, Q. H.; Chu, T. X.; Wang, Y.; Xu, Y. L. Thermal stability and flammability of several quaternary ammonium ionic liquids. J. Molecular Liquids 2023, 382, 121920.
Zhang, L.; Liu, B. W.; Wang, Y. Z.; Fu, T.; Zhao, H. B. P-doped PANI/AgMWs nano/micro coating towards high-efficiency flame retardancy and electromagnetic interference shielding. Compos. Part B Eng. 2022, 238, 109944.
Sun, R. Y.; Wang, F.; Li, C. B.; Deng, Z. P.; Song, F.; Wang, Y. Z. Formulation of environmentally robust flame-retardant and superhydrophobic coatings for wood materials. Constr. Building Mater. 2023, 392, 131873.
Schartel, B.; Hull, T. R. Development of fire-retarded materials—interpretation of cone calorimeter data. Fire Mater. 2007, 31, 327–354.
Shi, X. H.; Chen, L.; Liu, B. W.; Long, J. W.; Xu, Y. J.; Wang, Y. Z. Carbon fibers decorated by polyelectrolyte complexes toward their epoxy resin composites with high fire safety. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2018, 36, 1375–1384.
Liu, Z.; Fan, X. L.; Zhang, J. L.; Chen, L. X.; Tang, Y. S.; Kong, J.; Gu, J. W. PBO fibers/fluorine-containing liquid crystal compound modified cyanate ester wave-transparent laminated composites with excellent mechanical and flame retardance properties. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 2023, 152, 16–29.
Wu, T.; Yang, F. H.; Tao, J.; Zhao, H. B.; Yu, C. B.; Rao, W. H. Design of P-decorated POSS towards flame-retardant, mechanically-strong, tough and transparent epoxy resins. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2023, 640, 864–876.
Wei, C. X.; Gao, T. Y.; Xu, Y.; Yang, W. J.; Dai, G. J.; Li, R.; Zhu, S. E.; Yuen, R. K. K.; Yang, W.; Lu, H. D. Synthesis of bio-based epoxy containing phosphine oxide as a reactive additive toward highly toughened and fire-retarded epoxy resins. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2023, 41, 1733–1746.
Xie, H. L.; Lai, X. J.; Li, H. Q.; Gao, J. F.; Zeng, X. R.; Huang, X. Y.; Lin, X. Y. A highly efficient flame retardant nacre-inspired nanocoating with ultrasensitive fire-warning and self-healing capabilities. Chem. Eng. J. 2019, 369, 8–17.
Fu, C.; Ye, W.; Zhai, Z. J.; Zhang, J.; Li, P. Y.; Xu, B. Y.; Li, X. L.; Gao, F.; Zhai, J. G.; Wang, D. Y. Self-cleaning cotton fabrics with good flame retardancy via one-pot approach. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2021, 192, 109700.
Rao, W. H.; Tao, J.; Yang, F. H.; Wu, T.; Yu, C. B.; Zhao, H. B. Growth of copper organophosphate nanosheets on graphene oxide to improve fire safety and mechanical strength of epoxy resins. Chemosphere 2023, 311, 137047.
Niu, H. X.; Ding, H. L.; Huang, J. L.; Wang, X.; Song, L.; Hu, Y. A Furan-based phosphaphenanthrene-containing derivative as a highly efficient flame-retardant agent for epoxy thermosets without deteriorating thermomechanical performances. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2022, 40, 233–240.
Yu, C. B.; Wu, T.; Yang, F. H.; Wang, H.; Rao, W. H.; Zhao, H. B. Interfacial engineering to construct P-loaded hollow nanohybrids for flame-retardant and high-performance epoxy resins. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2022, 628, 851–863.
Li, R. M.; Deng, C.; Deng, C. L.; Dong, L. P.; Di, H. W.; Wang, Y. Z. An efficient method to improve simultaneously the water resistance, flame retardancy and mechanical properties of POE intumescent flame-retardant systems. RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 16328–16339.
Wang, T. S.; Liu, T.; Ma, T. T.; Li, L. P.; Wang, Q. W.; Guo, C. G. Study on degradation of phosphorus and nitrogen composite UV-cured flame retardant coating on wood surface. Prog. Org. Coatings 2018, 124, 240–248.
Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by State Grid Corporation of China Science and Technology Project Funding (No. 52199723000M), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52122302) and Sichuan Science and Technology Program (No. 2023NSFSC1943).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
The authors declare no interest conflict.
Electronic Supplementary Information
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zeng, XL., Lan, XS., Wang, Y. et al. Highly Transparent Fire-resistant Coatings with Intumescent Three-source Integration. Chin J Polym Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-024-3100-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-024-3100-1