Preparation and characterization of PFMP@GE microcapsules for enhancing the safety of UV-curable polymers

Fire hazards associated with UV-curable polymers have limited their broader application. This study aims to develop efficient and environmentally friendly safety strategies for UV-curable polymers. Microcapsules were synthesized via simple coacervation, using perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone) (PFMP) as the core and gelatin (GE) as the wall material. PFMP@GE microcapsules were then incorporated into UV-curable resin prepolymer to produce a UV-curable resin board with active fire-extinguishing capabilities. The microcapsules' morphology, chemical composition, and thermal stability of the microcapsules were analyzed, along with the safety performance of the UV-curable resin board containing PFMP@GE microcapsules in confined spaces with sustained combustion. The morphology, chemical composition, and thermal stability results indicate that the microcapsules, synthesized under emulsification conditions (5 min of shearing at 8000 rpm and a 2.0 % w/v ratio of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) to core material), have a spherical core-shell structure. The wall material provides a cavity space that stably encapsulates the core material. Fire tests in confined spaces demonstrated that the heat-responsive PFMP@GE microcapsules in the UV-curable resin released PFMP under fire conditions, with changes in smoke gas concentrations and temperature further verifying that the flames were effectively extinguished. The core material's synergistic fire-extinguishing mechanism of the core material imparts active safety features to the UV-curable resin.