Flame retarding nanocomposite thin films were deposited on polyurethane foam using water-based solutions of cationic and anionic-stabilized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly was used to coat the open-celled foam to produce uniform protective layers up to 600 nm thick, comprised of cationic polyethylenimine modified with pyrene (PEI-Py), anionic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and MWCNT. Coatings of only 6 [PEI-Py/PAA+MWCNT] bilayers (BL) showed tremendous reductions in peak heat release rate (up to 67%) and total smoke release (up to 80%) for the foam. With 9 BL, the foam successfully withstood a vertical burn test, self-extinguishing immediately after removal of the test flame. These dramatic reductions in foam flammability are unprecedented and are attributed to the protective nature of the carbon based char (formed from the coating) that acts as a protective barrier.

Pyrene-modified polyelectrolytes/MWNT multilayer thin films extinguish flames on polyurethane foam

251st National Meeting (2016)

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