Recent advances in carbon-based nanomaterials for flame retardant polymers and composites

An urgent need is to reduce the flammability of polymers and manage their toxic thermal decomposition products. Although conventional halogenated, metallic and phosphorus-based flame retardants (FRs) proved effective, they are known to cause major damage to human health and the environment. Containing carbon nanomaterials as a new class of flame retarding additives, polymer nanocomposites have displayed high flame retardancy, mechanical performance and electrical and thermal conductivity – a feat unmatched by conventional FRs. In this article we review very recent advances in carbon nanomaterials as FRs for polymers and composites as well as new understanding of the underpinning flame retarding mechanisms. Carbon nanomaterials, i.e. graphene, carbon nanotubes and carbon black, are discussed as the alternatives to conventional fillers due to their effectiveness in improving the polymers' flammability, mechanical properties and conductivity. The synergy between carbon-based nanofillers and conventional FRs is comprehensively reviewed, concluding that adding small fractions of carbon nanomaterials with conventional FRs into polymers can not only synergistically improve the flame retardancy but result in multifunctionalities such as thermal and electrical conductivity, without compromising the polymers’ mechanical performance. Chemically or physically combining carbon nanomaterials with other compounds or nanoadditives containing phosphorus and nitorgen elements can create significant synergies for multifunctional polymers and composites to attain superior flame-retardant properties.