Novel advancements in flame retardant mechanisms of halloysite nanotubes polymeric nanoarchitectures

ABSTRACT

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are classified as nanoclay composed of hollow-like nano-tubular nanostructure. HNTs are utilized in fabricating polymeric nanoarchitectures due to their broad surface area, inexpensiveness and ease of availability. HNTs functionalization is imperative to attainment of uniform distribution within polymeric matrices and has enhanced the fire suppressing, thermal stability along with mechanical features of HNT@polymeric nanoarchitectures (HNT@PNC), attributable to HNTs tubular architecture which facilitates trapping of flammable volatiles thereby forming a strong barricade on the polymeric surface impeding the heat and mass transportation procedure and enforcing flame retardancy (FR). The FR features of polymeric nanoarchitectures are majorly ascertained via propensity to ignitability, fire spreading, heat as well as smoke releasing. These FR parameters are usually ascertained utilizing the cone calorimeter test (CCT), UL-94-V examination and limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. CCT is a horizontally affiliated fire evaluation strategy whereby specimens are positioned horizontally, whereas UL-94-V and LOI are vertically oriented fire examination procedures. Therefore, this paper presents advances in fire suppressing mechanisms of HNT@PNC.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Flame retardancy
• HNT
• polymeric nanoarchitectures

Acknowledgments

Engr. Dr. Christopher Igwe Idumah, of the Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria is acknowledged for persisting in scholarly activities despite no funding along with other daunting challenges.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was not supported by any funding.

Notes on contributors

Raphael Stone Odera

Raphael Stone Odera holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Reader in Department of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Christopher Igwe Idumah

Christopher Igwe Idumah Ph.D. (UTMalaysia), M.Eng. (Manchester) is presently a lecturer in Department of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. He is currently ranked amongst World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, USA (2020 - 2023).

Emmanuel O. Ezeani

Emmanuel O. Ezeani is a lecturer in Department of Polymer Engineering, UNIZIK, Nigeria.

Victor U. Okpechi

Victor U. Okpechi Engr. Henry Oyeoka, Engr. Shedrack Ugwu are Doctoral Researchers and lecturers in Department of Polymer Engineering, UNIZIK, Nigeria.

Izuchukwu O. Madu

Izuchukwu O. Madu is a doctoral researcher and lecturer with the department of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Henry C. Oyeoka

Henry Oyeoka is a doctoral researcher and lecturer with the department of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Shedrack C. Ugwu

Shedrack Ugwu is a doctoral researcher and lecturer with the department of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

James E. Ogbu

James E. Ogbu is a Reader and Lecturer in the Department of Technology and Vocational, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.