Synthesis and Performance Analysis of New Hybrid Polymer Gel Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose for Preventing Spontaneous Coal Combustion

Because of the great risk of spontaneous combustion of coal, new gel materials are used for fire prevention and firefighting in coal mines. In this study, sodium alginate (SA), polyacrylamide (CPAM), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were used as matrices to prepare three different types of fireproof gel: SA-Al3+/WG, CPAM-Al3+/WG, and CMC-Al3+/WG, respectively. Their thermal stabilities were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis. The microstructures of these gels were observed using scanning electron microscopy, and their chemical bond breakages and combinations were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The CMC-Al3+/WG hydrogel had the best water retention capacity, water absorption capacity, compressive strength, and inhibition characteristics according to the results of the water retention rate tests, swelling kinetics experiments, mechanics, and fire extinguishing experiments. It was proven that CMC-Al3+/WG gel is an ideal fire-extinguishing material.