Work

DopaShield: a bioinspired flame-retardant spray nanocoating for versatile surface protection

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: pneumatic spraying, DopaShield forms a conformal coating on flammable materials such as cotton and polyurethane (PU) foam without the need for curing or solvents. Upon flame exposure, it rapidly forms a cohesive char layer that suppresses ignition, prevents melt dripping, and insulates against heat transfer. Vertical flame tests reveal self-extinguishing behavior, while mechanical testing confirms that substrate integrity is maintained. Halogen-free, and metal-free, DopaShield offers a platform for fire protection in textiles, insulation, infrastructure, and vegetation. Its field-deployable, substrate-independent design makes it a promising solution for mitigating fire risks in wildfire-prone communities.

Source: Nanoscale

DOI: 10.1039/d6nr02423h

Authors: Xiaohui Xu, Sehmus Ozden, Yi-Fan Chen, Navid Bizmark, Christopher J. Ellison, Rodney D. Priestley

Institutions: Rowan University, Princeton University, University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Flame retardant materials and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Princeton University, Princeton Center for Complex Materials

Awards: G5200267745, G9000363078