# Highly sensitive fire alarm system based on cellulose paper with low temperature response and wireless signal conversion

**Authors:** Xiaolu Li, Jose Sanchez del Rio Saez, Xiang Ao, Abdulmalik Yusuf, De-Yi Wang  
**arXiv:** [2201.05442](https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.05442)  
**Date:** 2021-12-28  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2201.05442v1/

## Key points

- Highly sensitive smart sensors for early fire detection with remote warning capabilities are urgently needed
- Flame-retardant cellulose paper loaded with graphene oxide (GO) and two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2, MXene) used to design a novel fire alarm
- GO acts as an electrical insulator at room temperature and becomes electrically conductive at high temperatures
- MXene enhances fire detection speed and warning at low temperatures below 300°C
- Flame-retardant fire alarm paper exhibits highly-sensitive response to abnormal temperature during pre-combustion process
- Rapid response time of 2 seconds at a relatively low temperature of 250°C allows for safe rescue and evacuation before fire develops further
- Novel method based on light intensity used to evaluate response time of the fire-warning system
- Wireless signal conversion and communication device integrated into the fire-warning system for the first time
- Device converts received signal into wireless signals and displays fire warning message on LCD screen within a radius of 2 km from incident location when high temperature or other signs of potential fires are detected
- Smart fire alarm paper shows promise for use as smart wallpaper for interior house decoration and other applications requiring early fire detection and warning

## Summary

Highly sensitive smart sensors for early fire detection with remote warning capabilities are urgently needed to improve the fire safety of combustible materials in various applications. In this study, a novel fire alarm is designed using flame-retardant cellulose paper loaded with graphene oxide (GO) and two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2, MXene). The GO acts as an electrical insulator at room temperature and becomes electrically conductive at high temperatures due to its excellent temperature dependent electrical resistance switching effect. During a fire incident, the oxygen-containing groups on GO are completely removed, resulting in a conductivity transformation. Additionally, the MXene enhances fire detection speed and warning at low temperatures below 300°C. The flame-retardant fire alarm paper exhibits a highly-sensitive response to abnormal temperature during the pre-combustion process, with a rapid response time of 2 seconds at a relatively low temperature of 250°C. This quick response time allows for more time to ensure safe rescue and evacuation of people before the fire develops further. A novel method based on light intensity is demonstrated to evaluate the response time of the fire-warning system, providing a more quantifiable and precise measurement. Furthermore, a wireless signal conversion and communication device is integrated into the fire-warning system for the first time. This device successfully converts the received signal from the fire warning system into wireless signals and displays a fire warning message on an LCD screen within a radius of 2 km from the incident location when high temperature or other signs of potential fires are detected. The designed smart fire alarm paper shows promise for use as smart wallpaper for interior house decoration and other applications requiring early fire detection and warning. By utilizing highly sensitive sensors and remote warning capabilities, this technology can significantly enhance existing safety measures against uncontrolled fires by providing timely warnings that can help prevent irreparable casualties or property loss caused by such incidents.