EFFECT OF TITANIUM AND ZINC OXIDES AND THEIR NANOFORMS ON THE THERMAL STABILITY OF INTUMESCENT SYSTEMS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30857/2786-5371.2026.4.1Keywords:
intumescent coatings, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, nanooxides, thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy, carbonisation, char laye, fire protectionAbstract
Purpose. A Study of the effects of titanium (TiO₂) and zinc (ZnO) oxides in micro- and nanoscale forms on the processes of swelling, thermal decomposition and char layer formation in intumescent systems consisting of ammonium polyphosphate, melamine, pentaerythritol, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The relevance of the study stems from the need to enhance the thermal stability and efficiency of fire-retardant coatings by modifying their composition with functional additives, in particular nano-oxide materials.
Methodology. Using thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, the patterns of influence of the nature of the oxides and their dispersion on the course of thermochemical processes in the intumescent system were established.
Findings. It has been shown that TiO2provides the maximum expansion coefficient and intensive char formation, whereas ZnO increases the stability of the char layer. The use of the investigated nanoscale oxides leads to a significant increase in the thermal stability of the systems, manifested in a decrease in the rate of mass loss, a shift of the decomposition temperatures into the high-temperature region, and an increase in the yield of char residue. IR spectroscopic analysis confirms the formation of a phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing framework with the development of P–N–C-type structures and aromatic fragments responsible for char stability.
Originality. It has been established that metal nanooxides participate in the catalytic processes of dehydration and carbonisation, and also promote interphase cross-linking of the polymer matrix and the formation of a dense three-dimensional structure in the char layer for the first time. It has been shown that the system containing nano-zinc oxide is the most effective, providing maximum char yield and enhanced thermal stability of the intumescent layer.
Practical value. The feasibility of using intumescent systems modified with metal nanooxides as highly effective fire-retardant coatings has been experimentally proven and scientifically substantiated. The results obtained open up new technological approaches to the targeted regulation of the properties of fire-retardant compositions and can be used in the development of new formulations of intumescent materials with improved fire-retardant efficiency for the construction industry.
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