A new type of fire suppressant powder of NaHCO3/zeolite nanocomposites with core–shell structure

A new type of particulate fire suppressant with core–shell structure was fabricated, in which zeolites 13X were encapsulated in the shell of nanosized sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) particles. Laboratory-scale tests showed that thus-prepared nanocomposites displayed much-improved extinction efficiency than that of conventional sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) dry powder with relatively shorter extinguishing time and less amount of agents required. Such an improved fire suppression performance could be reasonably ascribed to the unique core–shell structure and nanosize of the composite particles. The possible fire extinguishing mechanism of the composite powder was discussed, which involved the simultaneous functions of NaHCO3 and zeolite.