Biomass-based flame retardants for safer polymers
Safety is reportedly enhanced with the carbon-forming, nitrogen-releasing and phosphorus-rich properties of biomass.
The Texas A & M University team believe their work will help engineer ‘safer and greener flame-retardant systems’.
Highly flammable polymers are increasingly used in buildings, vehicles, and consumer goods.
Traditional flame retardants, while effective, often rely on halogenated or fossil-based chemicals linked to toxicity, poor environmental compatibility and limited sustainability.
Risks associated with polymer combustion are flames that spread rapidly releasing hazardous gases.
These issues have led the researchers to explore biomass-based alternatives.
Furthermore, the team has provided a survey of how these natural substances can be modified and integrated into polymer matrices to deliver fire protection effectively.
The team believes their findings pave the way for scaleable, environmentally friendly solutions that enhance fire protection in critical applications such as construction, transportation, and textiles.
They concluded that starch, phytic acid and chitosan represent abundant, low-cost, and renewable resources that can underpin the next generation of sustainable fire-safety materials.
While challenges remain in improving scaleability, ensuring compatibility with high-performance polymers, and maintaining mechanical strength alongside flame retardancy.
Future directions include multifunctional modifications that integrate water resistance, antimicrobial activity, or nanotechnology enhancements, as well as eco-friendly synthesis pathways.
