Collagen fiber network (CFN) is a kind of supermolecule composed of collagen molecules with a hierarchical structure. As collagen fibers possess this kind of structure and a relatively high nitrogen content, they have the potential to be processed into an efficacious flame-retardant filler. To realize this potential, the dispersion and fixation of collagen fibers must be controlled effectively. In this study, a series of CFNs with collagen fiber dispersed to different extents and those fixed with different tanning agents were prepared. The fiber dispersion, limiting oxygen index (LOI), combustion performance, thermal stability, carbon residue morphology, carbon residue composition, and thermal conductivity of these CFNs were characterized. The results showed that the flame retardancy of the CFNs improved with an increase in dispersion extent of collagen fibers and removal of the interfibrillar substance. The CFN fixed with 4 wt% zirconium tanning agent (based on ZrO₂) showed the best flame-retardant performance. Its LOI, total heat release, char yield at 800 °C and thermal conductivity were 62.3%, 15.51 MJ m⁻², 18.33%, and 0.1362 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. Because of these properties, this Zr-loaded CFN can be considered as a valuable flame retardant modifier for polymer materials.

胶原纤维网络（CFN）是一种由具有分级结构的胶原分子组成的超分子。由于胶原纤维具有这种结构和较高的氮含量，因此它们有潜力被加工成有效的阻燃填料。为了实现这一潜力，必须有效地控制胶原纤维的分散和固定。在这项研究中，准备了一系列胶原纤维分散程度不同，并用不同鞣剂固定的CFN。表征了这些CFN的纤维分散度，极限氧指数（LOI），燃烧性能，热稳定性，碳残留物形态，碳残留物成分和热导率。结果表明，CFNs的阻燃性随着胶原纤维的分散程度的增加和原纤维间物质的去除而提高。CFN用4 wt％的锆鞣剂固定（基于ZrO₂）表现出最佳的阻燃性能。其LOI，总放热量，焦炭产率在800℃和热导率分别为62.3％，15.51 MJ米^-2，18.33％，和0.1362脉冲W M ^-1  ķ ^-1分别。由于这些特性，这种Zr负载CFN可以被认为是聚合物材料的重要阻燃改性剂。