Creating MXene/reduced graphene oxide hybrid towards highly fire safe thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites

Developing highly effective flame retardant polymeric materials with the release of low toxic fumes during burning still keep a huge challenge. In this work, we demonstrated successful synthesis of titanium carbide-reduced graphene oxide (Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO) hybrid via hydrogen bonding induced assembly of Ti 3 C 2 T x and rGO, which was utilized to improve the thermal and fire safe performances of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU). The results indicated that the Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO hybrid showed a strong adhesion and good compatibility with TPU host. Furthermore, as-prepared Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO hybrid was homogeneously dispersed in the TPU matrix due to the mutual intercalation of rGO and Ti 3 C 2 T x preventing the re-aggregation. The thermal stability of TPU was dramatically improved after the introduction of Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO. With addition of 2.0 wt% Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO, the peak of smoke production rate and total smoke release of TPU nanocomposite were remarkably decreased by 81.2% and 54.0%, respectively. In addition, the TPU/Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO-2.0 showed distinct reductions in the peak of carbon monoxide production rate (54.1%) and total carbon monoxide yield (46.2%). The physical barrier effect, the catalytic charring of Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO hybrid and the chemical transformation of Ti 3 C 2 T x were responsible for the excellent fire resistance of TPU/Ti 3 C 2 T x -rGO systems. This work provides a novel strategy to significantly reduce the fire hazards of TPU, thus broadening its industrial applications.