In situ fabrication of molybdenum disulfide based nanohybrids for reducing fire hazards of epoxy

Abstract In this work, magnesium hydroxide (MH) nanoparticles were successfully grown on the surface of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets through hydrothermal method, then the MH-MoS2 hybrids were introduced into epoxy (EP) matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to observe the structure and morphology of MH-MoS2 hybrids. The MH nanoparticles were tightly attached to exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets, and MH-MoS2 hybrids had well dispersion state in EP matrix. The obtained EP composites displayed lower thermal decomposition rate and higher residual chars compared with those of pristine EP. With the addition of 2 wt% MH-MoS2 hybrids, the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and fire growth rate index (FIGRA) of achieved composites had a substantial decrease at 32% and 39%, respectively, compared with those of pristine EP. Moreover, the peak smoke production rate (pSPR) and the amount of toxic CO yield were reduced by 27% and 38%, respectively. Raman spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated a successive and compact char layer was formed due to the efficient catalytic charring effect of MH-MoS2 hybrids.