{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T13:18:35Z","timestamp":1787577515818,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787529600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001809","name":"National Natural Science Foundation of China","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["51974232"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["51974232"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001809","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"award":["51974232"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["51974232"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/01h0zpd94","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gels"],"abstract":"<jats:p>To address the challenge of balancing flame retardancy and dust suppression in conventional coal mine treatment materials, a multi-component synergistic flame-retardant dust-suppressant gel was fabricated using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the matrix, compounded with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), zinc borate (ZB), and polycarbodiimide (PCDI) as a cross-linking agent. The optimal formulation was determined via orthogonal experimental design combined with performance characterization, yielding a composition of 1 wt% CMC, 8 wt% APP, 2 wt% ZB, and 0.5 wt% PCDI. Systematic evaluations\u2014including wettability tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and fire-extinguishing trials\u2014demonstrated that the resultant CMC-based composite gel exhibits excellent structural stability and environmental tolerance. Specifically, the contact angle on the coal surface decreased sharply from 72.8\u00b0 to 17.2\u00b0, and the mass loss rate after 30 min of wind erosion was merely 4.16%. Treatment with the gel elevated the critical temperature of the coal\u2013oxygen reaction from 70 \u00b0C to 80 \u00b0C and reduced CO emissions by 40% at 170 \u00b0C. Furthermore, the temperatures corresponding to the maximum weight loss rate, ignition, and burnout increased by 12.9 \u00b0C, 16.8 \u00b0C, and 28.9 \u00b0C, respectively. Fire suppression tests revealed that the gel rapidly cools high-temperature coal seams and effectively prevents reignition. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the CMC-PCDI cross-linked network synergizes with the APP-ZB phosphorus\u2013boron flame-retardant system: the three-dimensional gel architecture provides physical encapsulation and water retention, while the intumescent char layer formed by APP-ZB offers efficient oxygen barrier protection. This study provides a reliable gel-based technical solution for the integrated prevention and control of coal dust pollution and spontaneous combustion disasters in underground mines.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/gels12090755","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T11:47:19Z","timestamp":1787572039000},"page":"755","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Preparation and Properties of CMC-Based Composite Gel as a Flame-Retardant Dust Suppressant"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Jianguo","family":"Wang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi\u2019an University of Science and Technology, Xi\u2019an 710054, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zhenzhen","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi\u2019an University of Science and Technology, Xi\u2019an 710054, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xinni","family":"He","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi\u2019an University of Science and Technology, Xi\u2019an 710054, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Binyuan","family":"Gao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi\u2019an University of Science and Technology, Xi\u2019an 710054, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1021\/acsomega.5c07210","article-title":"Application of Colloid Material in Prevention and Control of Coal Spontaneous Combustion in Coal Mine","volume":"11","author":"Fu","year":"2026","journal-title":"ACS Omega"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107756","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psep.2025.107756","article-title":"Coal dust exposure hazards and prevention technology: A review","volume":"202","author":"Pan","year":"2025","journal-title":"Process Saf. Environ. Prot."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104837","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apt.2025.104837","article-title":"Technologies for effective coal dust suppression using surfactants: A review of dust suppression programs and evaluation criteria","volume":"36","author":"Wu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Adv. Powder Technol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psep.2020.02.038","article-title":"Study on the characteristics of coal spontaneous combustion during the development and decaying processes","volume":"138","author":"Zhang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Process Saf. Environ. Prot."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Han, D., Niu, G., Zhu, H., Chang, T., Liu, B., Ren, B., Wang, Y., and Song, B. (2024). Exploration and Frontier of Coal Spontaneous Combustion Fire Prevention Materials. Processes, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/pr12061155"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21727","DOI":"10.1021\/acsomega.4c00844","article-title":"Research Status and Development Trend of Coal Spontaneous Combustion Fire and Prevention Technology in China: A Review","volume":"9","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"ACS Omega"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"118762","DOI":"10.1016\/j.powtec.2023.118762","article-title":"A review on the suppression mechanism of typical flame retardants on the explosion of mine dust","volume":"427","author":"Wang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Powder Technol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1007\/s11356-022-23840-w","article-title":"Review and prospects of mining chemical dust suppressant: Classification and mechanisms","volume":"30","author":"Dong","year":"2022","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, H., Du, Y., Wang, D., and Qin, B. (2019). Recent Progress in Polymer-Containing Soft Matters for Safe Mining of Coal. Polymers, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym11101706"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2414880","DOI":"10.1002\/adma.202414880","article-title":"Biopolymer-based flame retardants and flame-retardant materials","volume":"37","author":"Xu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Adv. Mater."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"116779","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fuel.2019.116779","article-title":"A novel high-toughness, organic\/inorganic double-network fire-retardant gel for coal-seam with high ground temperature","volume":"263","author":"Li","year":"2020","journal-title":"Fuel"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107121","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psep.2025.107121","article-title":"Experimental research on the suppression of hydrogen deflagration by flame-retardant composite ultrafine dry powder fire extinguishing agents containing aluminum hydroxide","volume":"198","author":"Guo","year":"2025","journal-title":"Process Saf. Environ. Prot."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1925","DOI":"10.1007\/s00107-024-02133-8","article-title":"Effect of synergistic flame retardancy on the flame retardant and smoke suppression properties of bamboo fiber composites","volume":"82","author":"Zhao","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eur. J. Wood Wood Prod."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139414","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2024.139414","article-title":"Synergistic oxidative modification and covalent cross-linking for the construction of sesbania gum-based high efficiency dust suppression foam sols","volume":"295","author":"Yu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2146","DOI":"10.1080\/00102202.2020.1858290","article-title":"Synergistic inhibitory effect of free radical scavenger\/inorganic salt compound inhibitor on spontaneous combustion of coal","volume":"194","author":"Chi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Combust. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"66","article-title":"Research progress of coal spontaneous combustion process characteristics and prevention technology","volume":"49","author":"Qin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Coal Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"697","DOI":"10.1080\/19392699.2024.2350435","article-title":"Preparation of complex physicochemical synergistic inhibitors and study on inhibition of spontaneous combustion of coal","volume":"45","author":"Du","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Coal Prep. Util."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"121782","DOI":"10.1016\/j.powtec.2025.121782","article-title":"Synthesis and performance evaluation of an eco-friendly dust suppression gel derived from wheat straw cellulose","volume":"469","author":"Ren","year":"2026","journal-title":"Powder Technol."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"114234","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envres.2022.114234","article-title":"Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium gel: A modified material used to suppress coal dust pollution","volume":"215","author":"Wen","year":"2022","journal-title":"Environ. Res."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125645","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2023.125645","article-title":"Preparation and performance of starch-based cross-linked network structured dust suppression foams for complex climatic conditions","volume":"246","author":"Xu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shao, P., Xu, P., Zhang, L., Xue, Y., Zhao, X., Li, Z., and Li, Q. (2019). Non-chloride in situ preparation of nano-cuprous oxide and its effect on heat resistance and combustion properties of calcium alginate. Polymers, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym11111760"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139981","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2025.139981","article-title":"Preparation and performance study of carboxymethylated Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) cellulose dust suppressant","volume":"290","author":"Wang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1497","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-28763-1","article-title":"Machine learning enabled orthogonal camera goniometry for accurate and robust contact angle measurements","volume":"13","author":"Kabir","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_24","unstructured":"(2023). Sampling of Coal Petrology (Standard No. GB\/T 19222-2003)."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"(2023). Proximate Analysis of Coal. General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People\u2019s Republic of China (Standard No. GB\/T 212-2008)."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"757","DOI":"10.1007\/s13369-022-06990-4","article-title":"Graphene surface energy by contact angle measurements","volume":"48","author":"Mohiuddin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Arab. J. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2139","DOI":"10.1007\/s13202-023-01660-z","article-title":"Evaluation of surface activity of rhamnolipid biosurfactants produced from rice bran oil through dynamic surface tension","volume":"13","author":"Safari","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Pet. Explor. Prod. Technol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"549","DOI":"10.1140\/epjp\/i2018-12340-3","article-title":"Natural convection channel flow of CMC-based CNTs nanofluid","volume":"133","author":"Saqib","year":"2018","journal-title":"Eur. Phys. J. Plus"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, J., Zhou, Y., Zhao, Y., and Zhang, Z. (2025). Fire Prevention and Extinguishing Characteristics of Al3+-CS\/PAM-MBA Composite Dual-Network Gel. Gels, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels11020148"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102368","DOI":"10.1016\/j.csite.2022.102368","article-title":"Synthesis of a novel composite component inhibitor and its flame retardant effect on coal","volume":"38","author":"Zhao","year":"2022","journal-title":"Case Stud. Therm. Eng."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111644","DOI":"10.1016\/j.est.2024.111644","article-title":"Preparation and properties of gel-type low-temperature phase change materials","volume":"90","author":"Feng","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Energy Storage"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Duceac, I.A., Stanciu, M.C., Nechifor, M., Tanas\u0103, F., and Teac\u0103, C.A. (2022). Insights on some polysaccharide gel type materials and their structural peculiarities. Gels, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels8120771"}],"container-title":["Gels"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/12\/9\/755\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T12:18:32Z","timestamp":1787573912000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/12\/9\/755"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]},"references-count":32,"journal-issue":{"issue":"9","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]}},"alternative-id":["gels12090755"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/gels12090755","relation":{},"ISSN":["2310-2861"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2310-2861","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]}}}