Morphology-Engineered CeO<sub>2</sub> as a Synergistic Flame Retardant in Polypropylene/Intumescent Systems: Mechanisms and Performance Enhancement

Morphology-Engineered CeO<sub>2</sub> as a Synergistic Flame Retardant in Polypropylene/Intumescent Systems: Mechanisms and Performance Enhancement

This study systematically examines the effect of the morphology of cerium oxide (CeO<sub>2</sub>) on the flame retardancy, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of polypropylene composites with intumescent flame retardant (PP/IFR). Layer-CeO<sub>2</sub> (L-CeO<sub&g...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bangmin Li, Wayne Hsu, Tingyi Zheng, Yincai Wu, Shenglong Wang, Fenglong Lin, Lijun Song, Xianfa Rao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
cerium oxide
morphology
intumescent flame retardant
polypropylene
synergistic effect
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/10/2102
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Summary:This study systematically examines the effect of the morphology of cerium oxide (CeO<sub>2</sub>) on the flame retardancy, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of polypropylene composites with intumescent flame retardant (PP/IFR). Layer-CeO<sub>2</sub> (L-CeO<sub>2</sub>) outperforms Particulate-CeO<sub>2</sub> (P-CeO<sub>2</sub>) in enhancing the flame retardancy of PP/IFR composites, showing higher limiting oxygen index (LOI) and greater reductions in the total heat release rate (THR) and total smoke production (TSR). The substitution of 1% IFR with 1% L-CeO<sub>2</sub> significantly increased the LOI from 29.4% to 32.6%, while reducing the THR and TSR by 38.9% and 74.3%, respectively. L-CeO<sub>2</sub> incorporation improves thermal stability, increasing the residual char yield to 8.53% at 800 °C under air (vs. 3.87% for PP/IFR). Additionally, L-CeO<sub>2</sub> improved the mechanical properties of the composites, increasing tensile strength and rigidity. The synergistic flame-retardant mechanism is hypothesized to involve CeO<sub>2</sub> catalyzing the formation of a P-O-C crosslinked network in the carbon layer, leading to a denser carbon structure and improved flame-retardant performance in the PP/IFR composites. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of L-CeO<sub>2</sub> as a flame-retardant synergist, providing a foundation for developing fire-safe polymeric materials.
ISSN:1420-3049

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