Integration of black phosphorene and MXene to improve fire safety and mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane

The low exfoliation yield and large solvents consumption have become the major issue that limits the commercial application of two-dimensional nanomaterials. Emerging as an effective and environmentally friendly approach, electrochemical exfoliation has been attached by extensive concern. Hence, a simple and environmentally friendly two-electrode electrochemical exfoliation method was put forward to prepare black phosphorus-MXene (BP-Ti 3 C 2 ) nanohybrids without consumption of any organic solvents. The integration of BP and Ti 3 C 2 also imparts higher fire safety and mechanical properties to waterborne polyurethane (WPU). With the incorporation of 2.0 wt% BP-Ti 3 C 2 , the peak heat release rate, total heat release, total smoke production and total CO 2 yield of WPU were decreased by 42.2%, 12.9%, 12.6% and 16.5%, respectively, exhibiting a great flame retardancy effect. The employment of electrochemical exfoliation method towards BP and Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets not only imparts higher fire safety to polymer composites, but also provides a referable environmentally friendly preparation for two-dimensional nanomaterials.