Inspired by placoid scale to fabricate MXene derivative biomimetic structure on the improvement of interfacial compatibility, mechanical property, and fire safety of epoxy nanocomposites

In recent years, developing high performance thermosetting nanocomposites has attracted wide-ranging research attention. As a rising two-dimensional material, MXene still confront the intrinsic weakness for preparing epoxy resin with superior comprehensive performance. Inspired by the overlap architecture of placoid scale, an in-situ growth technique was applied to fabricate biomimetic-structural MXene derivative, which displayed significant increase in interfacial compatibility, mechanical property, and flame retardancy of epoxy resin (EP). In contrast to pure EP, the tensile strength and impact strength of EP nanocomposites increased by 30.1% and 43.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the fire hazard of EP nanocomposites was significantly reduced. With 5 wt% of [email protected]3C2Tx incorporated into EP (EP5), the peak of total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) decreased by 44.1% and 26.8%, respectively. Therefore, biomimetic structure nanohybrid ([email protected]3C2Tx) provides a facile and reliable strategy to prepare EP nanocomposites with excellent comprehensive performances.