Dual self-antiaggregating hybrid nanoarchitectonics for synergistic effects on the fire safety of intumescent flame retardant epoxy resins

• CeO 2 -MoS 2 (C-M) with dual self-antiaggregating structure were fabricated. • The intumescent flame retardants were homogeneously dispersed in EP matrix. • C-M improved the thermal stability of APP@ZIF-8 (A@Z) flame retardant EP. • EP/0.5C-M/9.5A@Z offered the highest flame retardancy and toxic smoke reduction. • The synergistic flame retardant and smoke suppression mechanisms were discussed. Prior to the practical application of epoxy resins (EP), critical issues regarding the fire safety of flammable and toxic smoke releases must be addressed. Here, novel nanoarchitectonics with dual self-antiaggregating structure were fabricated in which CeO 2 nanoparticles were grown in situ on molybdenum disulfide (CeO 2 -MoS 2 ). CeO 2 alleviated the re-agglomeration of MoS 2 , and then CeO 2 -MoS 2 further mitigated the reunification effect of zeolite imidazolate framework-8 encapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (APP@ZIF-8) in the EP matrix. When CeO 2 -MoS 2 was employed as a synergist to replace 0.5 wt% of APP@ZIF-8 flame retardant, the thermal stability of EP composites was significantly improved, as evidenced by a 41.8% reduction in the maximum mass loss rate compared with pure EP. In addition, the PHRR, PSPR, PCO, and PCO 2 values of EP/0.5C-M/9.5A@Z were decreased by 65.8%, 47.9%, 67.0%, and 67.4%, respectively, while its LOI value improved to 28.2%. Benefit from the barrier and catalytic effect of CeO 2 -MoS 2 nanoarchitectonics, in conjunction with the subsequent formation of multiple metal oxides and phosphorus-containing substances that form an expanding char layer, preventing the heat-mass exchange and smoke diffusion. This research suggests a feasible solution to the problem of high fire hazards in EP.