Reduced Graphene Oxide, Nanocomposite, Flame Retardant; Factorial design; Polyurethane, Cotton.
Reduced Graphene Oxide, Nanocomposite, Flame Retardant; Factorial design; Polyurethane, Cotton.
The automotive industry is in constant search for advanced environmentally friendly materials that can improve safety and reduce the risk of fire in vehicles, as well as low CO2 emissions. In this context, this work aims to develop, apply and evaluate the flame retardant properties of a nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/polyurethane (PUR)/cotton, using a factorial design 23. The independent variables analyzed in the process were mass of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), temperature and infrared polymerization time. The samples were characterized in terms of contact angle measurements, adhesion work, air/water permeability, as well as tensile and abrasion resistance. Microstructural analyzes of both RGO and nanocomposites were also carried out via XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, HRTEM-SAED, SEM-FEG. The results showed that the synthesis of GO and its subsequent reduction obtained RGO with 2-4 sheets with a thickness below 5 nm each and a D/G band ratio greater than 1.05. Its application as a reinforcing agent in the PUR/cotton system was responsible for increasing the hydrophobicity of the nanocomposite, greater anti-fire power, greater thermal resistance, high durability in terms of abrasion in different wear cycles. Thus, this study proves that the polymerization temperature and mass of RGO are the most important variables in the production process of nanocomposites and that RGO is an emerging 2D material in obtaining flame retardant nanomaterials with potential application in the automotive industry.