Non-Toxic Flame-Retardant Nanocoating for Various Polymeric Materials

Catastrophic residential fires and wildfires have a significant impact in terms of fatalities, injuries, loss of property, and air pollution. Flame retardants play important roles in fire protection by helping to prevent or slow the spread of fire. Currently, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are the most abundantly used flame retardants. However, there are increasing concerns about their toxicity to humans and persistence in the environment. 

To find an eco-friendly alternative to those toxic chemicals, the technology owner has developed a non-toxic flame-retardant nanocoating using bio-based and renewable raw materials such as chitosan and clay nanoplatelets. This water-based coating can potentially be applied to any flammable polymeric material, such as wood, foams and fabrics, providing effective fire protection for a wide range of applications.

The technology is available for IP licencing and R&D collaboration with industry partners who are interested in adopting flame-retardant coatings in their products and applications.

The technology is a water-based nanocoating comprising of chitosan and clay nanoplatelets. The synergy between these two materials gives the structure its fire-retardant property. In addition to layer-by-layer deposition, the technology can also be applied by polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) coating. 

The key features of this technology are:

• Made from renewable and non-toxic materials readily found in nature
• Effective coating by adding only 4-5 wt% to the substrate
• Transparent coating without changing colour, texture, or appearance
• Non-toxic to humans and the environment during production, usage, and disposal
• Adapt to various coating methods such as spray coating, dip coating, and brush painting

The eco-friendly flame-retardant coating can be applied to various flammable materials that are widely used in building and construction, aerospace, automotive, marine, and military applications. The potential applications include but are not limited to:

• Wood: furniture, fences, building materials (panels, doors, flooring, window frames)
• Foams: mattresses, upholstered furniture, automotive interior, seat cushions, insulation foams
• Fabrics: curtains and blinds, carpets, interior finishes, military camps, cargo nets
• Clothing: fire protective clothing, industrial PPE, lab coats, children's wear
• Others: toys, baby products, electrical wires and cables, electronic devices

The technology offers the following unique features:

• Renewable raw materials from natural resources
• Customised formulations for various polymeric materials
• Low coating weight gain (as low as 4-5 wt%)
• Environmentally friendly and non-toxic
• Cost-effective and easy to apply in industries

The technology is available for IP licencing and R&D collaboration with industry partners who are interested in adopting flame-retardant coatings in their products and applications.