Flame retardant polymer systems containing biochar: current state-of-the-art and perspectives

Both in the academic and industrial worlds, the field of flame retardance of plastics and textile materials is currently experiencing the use of bio-sourced and low environmental impact products for the design of effective and ‘green’ alternatives to common flame retardants. Among them, biochar, a solid product obtained from the thermo-chemical conversion of biomasses in an oxygen-limited environment, is gathering great interest as a cheap carbon source, suitable, in combination with standard flame retardant additives, for enhancing the resistance of different polymer-based systems to a flame application or to the exposure of an irradiative heat source. This chapter will thoroughly describe the novel current state-of-the-art concerning the use of this carbon material as a flame retardant, discussing the recent advances and highlighting some future possible developments.