Sustainable Mineral‐Bio Hybrid Gel Based on Peach Gum for improving Fire‐Resistant Performance

ABSTRACT Wildfire propagation poses critical threats to global ecosystems and infrastructure, driving the need for eco‐friendly flame‐retardant gels. This study reports a sustainable bio‐based gel (PG/SiO ₂ @HY) utilizing natural peach gum (PG) as a carbon precursor, halloysite nanotubes (HY) as an inorganic phase, and SiO ₂ as a synergistic agent. Under the tested conditions, the gel improves thermal shielding and flame suppression. Specifically, the time to ignition for treated substrates increases from 4 s to 92 s. Cone calorimetry reveals that the gel reduces the peak heat release rate and total heat release by 88.8% and 50.0%, respectively. In simulated cabin fire tests, the gel maintains rear‐surface temperatures at a mere 36.2°C, a dramatic reduction from the 721°C observed in untreated groups. In a pine needle‐bed fire‐spread test, the gel helps block flame propagation and forms an effective fire‐isolation barrier. These improvements are associated with a synergistic ceramic–carbon protective layer that limits heat transfer and oxygen diffusion. This study suggests a mineral‐assisted bio‐based design strategy for wildfire‐related fire protection.