Core-shell microstructured nanocomposites optimized based on Box–Behnken design for enhanced suppression of hydrogen co-flow flames

Combustion characteristics of hydrogen-containing syngas are distinct from those of traditional hydrocarbon fuels. However, the efficiency for any fire extinguishant on syngas/air flame suppression has not been validated up to now. In this study, we developed novel core-shell microstructured nanocomposites (CSMNs) with inner seawater for syngas/air fire extinguishing. To optimize the preparation conditions, we adopted a three-factor three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD). The corrosion rate and minimum extinguishing concentration of CSMNs were determined by corrosion tests and Cup-burner experiments, respectively. Results showed that the BBD method exhibits good agreement between experimental data and fitted models. By applying numerical optimization , we determined that solid mass fraction, rotation speed, and rotation time in a range of 2–10%, 4000–8000 rpm, and 60–180 s, respectively, are the optimal preparation conditions for the CSMN preparation. The degree of corrosion rate and mass concentration in co-flow gaseous fuel/air fire suppression were reduced by more than 50% compared to an aqueous seawater solution. The updated methods can be used to study the fire inhibition efficiency of the emerging class of composite materials with the core-shell structure. This does not only provide solutions for syngas/air flame inhibition, but it also gives new insight into the application of seawater for fire extinguishment.