Bio-based coating combines fire protection, early warnings, and upcyclability

Phys.org Chemistry reported on 4 November 2026 that researchers have developed a multifunctional fire-protective coating. The material shields underlying substrates from extreme heat while simultaneously providing an early warning signal in the presence of fire. The researchers published their findings in the journal Polymer Degradation and Stability. [1]

The bio-based coating introduces a strategy for integrating fire safety, sustainability, and circularity into a single material system. Beyond heat resistance and fire detection, the coating can be recycled at the end of its life cycle into new flame-retardant materials. [1]

The research connects to broader material management techniques such as passive daytime radiative cooling. Passive daytime radiative cooling involves the use of surfaces that possess high reflectivity and high thermal emissivity to lower the temperature of buildings or other objects without external energy input. [2]