Hematite Particle Size Effect on Combustion Performance of Fire Extinguishing Composites

Abstract

Hematite nanoparticles (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) were successfully synthesised using facile and eco-friendly hydrothermal method. Synthesised hematite nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Nano/ micro particles of Hematite (1, 3&5 %, w/w) were incorporated in aerosol forming composite (AFC). For the first time, catalytic effect of nano and micro size hematite on performance of AFC has been creatively investigated with respect to combustion and fire extinguishment parameters. Incorporation of nano hematite (5 %, w/w) in AFC reduced the combustion temperature (by 11 %) and tremendously boosted the burn rate & combustion efficiency by 30&7.5 % respectively. This in turn produced the aerosols in less time and put out the fire quickly (< 5 s). Hematite nano counterpart was discovered to be more promising than its micro equivalent. This exploratory study is valuable in the field of development of futuristic ultra-fast fire extinguishants.