Superior thermal and fire safety performances of epoxy-based composites with phosphorus-doped cerium oxide nanosheets

Abstract In present work, two dimensional (2D) phosphorus-doped cerium oxide (P-CeO2) hybrids were synthesized by a novel bio-based calcination method. The structure and morphology of P-CeO2 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influences of P-CeO2 hybrids on the thermal and fire safety performances of epoxy resin (EP) were explored. SEM results indicated that the excellent dispersion state of P-CeO2 hybrids was achieved and strong interfacial adhesion was formed between P-CeO2 and matrices. The introduction of P-CeO2 not only improved the thermal stability of EP, but also obviously reduced the fire hazards of EP. Incorporating P-CeO2 into EP resulted in the decreased thermal degradation rate and increased thermal degradation temperature and char yields. Moreover, the peak heat release rate (PHRR), peak smoke production rate (PSPR), total smoke production (TSP) and CO production rate were decreased by 18%, 32%, 22% and 35%, respectively, compared with those of neat EP. The good dispersity, labyrinth shielding action and catalytic action of P-CeO2 on charring may be conducive to the obvious improvements of thermal and fire safety performances.