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Flame-retardant MXene nanohybrids enhance epoxy resins
Researchers have developed phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing MXene nanohybrids that improve both the flame retardancy and impact strength of epoxy resins.
A Chinese research team has developed functionalised MXene nanohybrids (MXene-NP) synthesised via in-situ polymerisation of melamine and benzophosphonyl dichloride on MXene surfaces. These hybrid nanomaterials were then incorporated into epoxy resin (EP) to create multifunctional composites.
Adding just 2 wt% MXene-NP increased the limiting oxygen index of epoxy from 21 to 29.4 %, a 40 % improvement. In cone calorimeter tests, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) decreased by 33.8 %, while the peak CO₂ and CO production rates dropped by 29.5 % and 36.1 %, respectively.
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Improved mechanical properties
In addition to enhanced flame retardancy, the MXene-NP reinforced epoxy resins showed significantly improved impact strength. With only 0.5 wt% MXene-NP, the impact strength increased from 6.22 to 11.65 kJ/m² – an 87.2 % rise.
The researchers attribute this to strong interfacial bonding provided by the organic polymer coating on the MXenes. This study presents a simple and promising strategy for designing efficient multifunctional epoxy-based nanocomposites.
Source: Ma, L. et al., Preparation of phosphorus/nitrogen-containing MXene nanohybrids via in situ polymerization and their application in epoxy resins. Prog. Org. Coat. 203, 109163 (2025).
