The influence of cerium dioxide functionalized reduced graphene oxide on reducing fire hazards of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites.

In this work, CeO2/rGO hybrids were successfully synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method to reduce fire hazards of thermoplastic polyurethane. The structure, element components and morphology of the synthesized products were characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman spectra and TEM. Then, 2.0 wt% CeO2/rGO hybrids were incorporated into thermoplastic polyurethane matrix (TPU) to improve thermal stability, flame retardancy and smoke toxicity suppression. The introduction of CeO2/rGO hybrids could remarkably suppress heat release and smoke release, indicated by the reduction of the peak heat release rate, smoke produce rate, as well as the release rate of CO and CO2. The significant improvement in thermal stability and smoke suppression properties was mainly due to the synergistic function between physical barrier effect of rGO and catalytic effect of CeO2. This work provided an effect way to enhance the thermal stability and fire safety of TPU.