DNA as a Natural Flame Retardant for Cellulose Acetate Polymer Mixtures

Abstract

The combustion properties of natural DNA mixed with the nature-derived thermoplastic cellulose acetate (CA) were determined. The flame retarding properties of DNA in mixtures with CA were significant and concentration dependent, the higher the DNA content the better the flame retardation. Ammonia was detected during the heating of CA-DNA mixtures. In contrast, carbon monoxide (CO) formation was distinctly reduced during combustion of the CA mixtures with DNA when compared with pure CA. Thus, DNA can be considered as a natural and re-growing polymeric flame-retardant for versatile applications of CA-based thermoplastic polymers in order to form eco-friendly polymer mixtures.