To limit the spread of wildfires, we developed an eco-friendly, hydrogel-based fire retardant (FR) solution to be sprayed upon vegetation. Our testing focused on dried grass, as dry grass is a major fuel source that sustains and propagates wildfires.<br/>The addition of water to Xanthan Gum (XG) forms a hydrogel, whose ~90% water content makes it naturally fire resistant. In order to increase the flame retardancy of XG gel for both wet and dry application conditions, an intumescent fire retardant (IFR) system with resorcinol diphenyl phosphate (RDP) as acid source and starch as charring agent was suspended in the XG gel matrix. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry confirmed the successful coating of RDP onto the starch and XG surfaces. Thermogravimetric analysis supported the addition of starch as a charring agent via elevated char residues.<br/>The fire retardancy of candidate gels was first assessed by measuring the percent mass loss after 3 one-minute intervals of using a propane torch to burn grass samples coated in a thin layer of gel. When the highest performing FR formulation was evenly sprayed on a piece of sod save for an uncoated circle at the sod’s center, igniting the unsprayed circle caused a fire that only spread to the fringes of the circle. We thereby qualitatively show that this formulation effectively stops the self-combustion of grass. Rheology results proved this same formulation has one of the highest shear thinning properties, which is promising for sprayable applications.

Development of a hydrogel-based intumescent flame retardant system for limiting wildfire propagation

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.