Citation: Qiu, W.-W.; Yu, Z.-R.;
Zhou, L.-Y.; Lv, L.-Y.; Chen, H.;
Tang, L.-C. Facile Fabrication of
Graphene Oxide Nanoribbon-Based
Nanocomposite Papers with
Different Oxidation Degrees and
Morphologies for Tunable
Fire-Warning Response.
Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 1963. https://
doi.org/10.3390/nano12121963
Academic Editors: Ki-Hyun Kim and
Deepak Kukkar
Received: 10 May 2022
Accepted: 6 June 2022
Published: 8 June 2022
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Article
Facile Fabrication of Graphene Oxide Nanoribbon-Based
Nanocomposite Papers with Different Oxidation Degrees and
Morphologies for Tunable Fire-Warning Response
Wei-Wei Qiu
1,
*, Zhi-Ran Yu
1,2
, Ling-Yun Zhou
3,
*, Ling-Yu Lv
2
, Heng Chen
4
and Long-Cheng Tang
2,
*
1
School of Information and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology,
Hangzhou 310023, China; zhiran.yu.etu@univ-lille.fr
2
Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology of MoE, College of Material,
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China;
18758043323@163.com
3
Guangdong Science & Technology Infrastructure Center, Guangzhou 510610, China
4
College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China;
hengchen@zjut.edu.cn
* Correspondence: qiuweiwei@zust.edu.cn (W.-W.Q.); lyzhou0522@126.com (L.-Y.Z.);
lctang@hznu.edu.cn (L.-C.T.)
Abstract:
Smart fire-warning sensors based on graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterials, via monitoring
their temperature-responsive resistance transition, have attracted considerable interest for several
years. However, an important question remains as to whether or not different oxidation degrees of the
GO network can produce different impacts on fire-warning responses. In this study, we synthesized
three types of GO nanoribbons (GONRs) with different oxidation degrees and morphologies, and thus
prepared flame retardant polyethylene glycol (PEG)/GONR/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite
papers via a facile, solvent free, and low-temperature evaporation-induced assembly approach. The
results showed that the presence of the GONRs in the PEG/MMT promoted the formation of an
interconnected nacre-like layered structure, and that appropriate oxidation of the GONRs provided
better reinforcing efficiency and lower creep deformation. Furthermore, the different oxidation
degrees of the GONRs produced a tunable flame-detection response, and an ideal fire-warning signal
in pre-combustion (e.g., 3, 18, and 33 s at 300
◦
C for the three PEG/GONR/MMT nanocomposite
papers), superior to the previous GONR-based fire-warning materials. Clearly, this work provides a
novel strategy for the design and development of smart fire-warning sensors.
Keywords:
graphene oxide nanoribbon; different oxidation degrees; layered structure; nanocompos-
ite paper; fire-warning response
1. Introduction
Fire is a “double-edged sword” since it has been of great significance in the history
of human civilization, but is also hazardous [
1
,
2
], especially since the development of
synthesized polymer. As is well known, London’s Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, Brazil’s
National Museum fire in 2018, and Paris’ Notre Dame fire in 2019 have caused massive
casualties, irreparable property damage, and the loss of priceless artefacts [
2
–
4
]. These
severe outdoor fire disasters have been attributed to the high fire-risk of various combustible
materials that have low ignition temperatures of 300–500
◦
C and rapid flame-spread speeds
(e.g., about 8 m for <80 s in the large-scale UL experiment [
5
]). Some traditional fire
alarm strategies, including smoke alarms and heat detectors, have proven to be effective
at significantly reducing or even avoiding the risk of indoor fires; however, they have
limitations, including a relatively long fire alarm time of >100 s, no fire early-warning
signal below ignition temperature, and restricted use in certain outdoor environments [6].
Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 1963. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12121963 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nanomaterials
