Preparation and Characterization of Nanogold/Silica/Epoxy Acrylate Flame‐Retardant Coatings

Abstract To address the flammability of epoxy acrylate (EA) coatings, a green flame‐retardant system was developed using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) supported on SiO 2 . Au NPs were biosynthesized using Platycladus orientalis leaf extract, whereas SiO 2 was prepared via a soft‐template method. The Au/SiO 2 nanocomposites enhanced the flame resistance of UV‐cured EA coatings through catalytic char formation, increasing residue from 15.9% (SiO 2 /EA) to 20.9%. The optimized coating achieved a V‐0 UL‐94 rating, a 63% higher LOI (31% versus 19%), and a 49% reduction in peak heat release rate compared to pure EA. Additionally, CO 2 emissions decreased by 37%, while maintaining 6H hardness and 50.6% transmittance. This sustainable approach overcomes the brittleness and fire risks of conventional UV‐cured coatings.