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Alexander B. Morgan

Group Leader, Distinguished Research Scientist

University of Dayton Research Institute: Structural Materials

Contact

Email: Alexander Morgan
Phone: 937-229-3079
1700 S. Patterson Boulevard, Rm N3650, Dayton, OH 45409
Website: Visit Site

Profile

Dr. Morgan has over 27 years of experience in the area of fire safety science including materials flammability, material thermal degradation & decomposition, polymeric material flame retardancy, fire science, fire testing, and fire safety engineering. Dr. Morgan has published over 154 publications in this area, and has published/edited 6 books in this field.  His work has been cited over 12,700 times and he has a h-index of 45 as per Google Scholar.  Dr. Morgan’s expertise has an emphasis on chemical structure property relationships and fire safe / thermal damage resistant material design. He has helped academic, government, and industrial customers solve their flame retardant and fire safety needs in a wide range of applications. Dr. Morgan is on the editorial review boards for Fire and Materials and is the Editor-In-Chief for the Journal of Fire Science.

Research

  • Fire safety science
  • Material thermal decomposition chemistry
  • Flame retardant chemistry
  • Material flammability testing and test method development
  • Thermal protection systems
  • Materials science
  • Materials chemistry
  • Technology transition
  • Project/program management

Skills and Experience

  • Extensive experience and expertise with relating real world regulations to commercial product design while considering product cost, balance of properties, and environmental impact
  • Extensive experience with project management, program budgets/budgeting, and leading technical work on commercialization projects as well as basic research programs
  • Extensive experience and expertise of halogenated and non-halogenated flame retardant systems in a wide range of polymers; 24 years of work in the flame retardant field with extensive contacts across the entire field including academia, government, and industry
  • Experience and extensive knowledge on polymer nanocomposites, including synthetic knowledge, structure-property relationships, and characterization techniques. 13 years of work in this field with extensive contacts across the entire field. Includes experience with clays, nanotubes, nanofibers, colloidal silicas and many other nanofillers. Also includes extensive experience in nanofiller and polymer interface science
  • Experience and knowledge of chemical and polymer characterization techniques, such as TEM (sample preparation and analysis), XRD, UV/Vis/NIR, FTIR, NMR, GC, GPC, TGA, TMA, and DSC
  • Extensive knowledge and strong expertise of polymer flammability and fire safety engineering of materials in multiple applications. This includes experience and knowledge of many ASTM and ISO regulatory and scientific flammability tests, as well as NFPA, IEC and Mil-STD tests. Strong expertise with the cone calorimeter, including data analysis, experimental design, and correlation between test methods
  • Strongly proficient with compounding of polymer additives, including use of thermoplastic polymer instruments, specifically blender mixing heads, twin screw extruders, compression molders, and injection molding machines. Also have thermoset polymer experience and knowledge including composite fabrication
  • Strongly proficient and experienced with writing research reports, original proposals, patent disclosures, research grant proposals, and scientific publications. 152 total publications to date

Education

  • Ph.D., Chemistry, University of South Carolina, 1998
  • B.S., Chemistry, Virginia Military Institute, 1994

Honors

  • Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Fire Sciences
  • Editorial Review Board, Fire and Materials
  • National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow, US National Institute of Standards and Technology, 1999-2000.

Affiliations

  • American Chemical Society
  • Chairman, Subcomittee E05-15, ASTM International
  • International Associate of Fire Safety Scientists

Selected Publications

  • “Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Handbook, 2nd Edition” Morgan, A. B ISBN 978-1-119-75056-7, Scrivener Publishing LLC, Hoboken, NJ, 2021 Publication Date.  [Digital – Nov 2021, Print Dec 2021]
  • Fire Retardancy of Polymeric Materials, 2nd Edition. Eds. Wilkie, C. A.; Morgan A. B. December 2009 (2010 publishing date), Taylor and Francis. Boca Raton, FL ISBN 978-1-4200-8399-6.
  • “Flame Retardant Polymer Nanocomposites” Edited by Alexander B. Morgan and Charles A. Wilkie. Book published by John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ 2007.  ISBN 978-0-471-73426-01.
  • “Synthesis of a phosphorus-based epoxy reactive flame retardant analog to diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and its behavior as a matrix in a carbon fiber composite” Mukhtar, M..; Klosterman, D.; Benin, V.; Morgan, A. B. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 2022, 205, 110144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2022.110144
  • “The well-meaning but misguide rollback of fire safety in the United States” Morgan, A. B. J. Fire Sci. 2022, 40, 249-253. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F07349041221096609
  • “A targeted review of bio-derived plasticizers with flame retardant functionality used in PVC” Morgan, A. B.; Mukhopadhyay, P. J. Mater. Sci. 2022, 57, 7155-7172 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-022-07096-w
  • “Bio-Based Flame Retardant Coatings Based on Synergistic Combination of Tannic Acid and Phytic Acid for Nylon-Cotton Blends” Kulkarni, S.; Xia, Z.; Yu, S.; Kiratitanavit, W.; Morgan, A. B.; Kumar, J.; Mosurkal, R.; Nagarajan, R. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2021, 13, 61620-61628. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c16474
  • “Smolder Behavior and Emissions Byproducts of Aircraft Composite Coupons” Hatch, J.; Wardall, A.; Jackson, J.; McNeilly, R.; Kirsh, J.; Parker, A.; Morgan, A. B.: Duran, C. Fire Safety Journal 2021, 123, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2021.103366
  • “Flammability Testing of Wool/Cellulosic and Wool/Synthetic Fiber Blends – Vertical Flame Spread and Heat Release Results” Morgan, A. B.; Galaska, M. L. J. Fire Sci. 2020, 38, 522-551. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734904120954013
  • “Revisiting Flexible Polyurethane Flammability in Furniture and Bedding in the United States” Morgan, A. B. Fire Mater. DOI: 10.1002/fam.2848
  • “Studying Smoldering to Flaming Transition in Polyurethane Furniture Sub-Assemblies: Effects of Fabrics, Flame Retardants, and Material Type” Morgan, A. B.; Knapp, G.; Stoliarov, S. I.; Levchik, S. V. Fire Mater. DOI: 10.1002/fam.2847
  • “Organophosphorus-Hydrazides as Potential Reactive Flame Retardants for Epoxy” Morgan, A. B.; Benin, V.; Klosterman, D. A.; Sulayman, A. B.; Mukhtar, M.; Galaska, M. L. J. Fire Sci. 2020, 38, 28-52. https://doi.org/10.1177/073490411989028
  • “Flammability Characteristics of Animal Fibers: Single Breed Wools, Alpaca/Wool, and Llama/Wool Blends” Galaska, M. L.; Sqrow, L. D.; Wolf, J. D.; Morgan, A. B. Fibers 2019, 7, 3-22.  doi: 10.3390/fib7010003
  • “Fire Risks with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites” Morgan, A. B. DSIAC Journal 2018, 5, 11-19.
  • “Improving the Flame Retardancy of Polypropylene Foam with Piperazine Pyrophosphate via Multilayering Co-Extrusion of Film/Foam Composites” Lee, S.; Morgan, A. B.; Schiraldi, D. A.; Maia, J. J. App. Polym. Sci. 2019, DOI: 10.1002/APP.48552
  • “The Future of Flame Retardant Polymers – Unmet Needs and Likely New Approaches” Morgan, A. B. Polymer Reviews 2018, https://doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2018.1454948
  • “An Experimental Setup for Observation of Smoldering-to-Flaming Transition on Flexible Foam/Fabric Assemblies” Stoliarov, S. I.; Zeller, O.; Morgan, A. B.; Levchik, S. Fire Mater. 2018, 42, 128-133 DOI: 10.1002/fam.2464
  • “Post-Fire Mechanisms of Seawater-Accelerated Weathering Composites for Coastal and Marine Structures” Toubia, E. A.; Elmushyakhi, A.; Morgan, A. B. Marine Structures 2018, 63, 304-317.
  • “New Polyether Diols as Flame Retardants for Polyurethane: Derivatives of Epoxy Functionalized Phosphonates and Phosphates” Byard, B.; Wang, K.; Morgan, A. B.; Benin, V. Fire Mater. 2018, 42, 3-17 DOI: 10.1002/fam.2452 
  • “Preparation and Studies of New Phosphorus-Containing Diols as Potential Flame Retardants” Wang, K.; Morgan, A. B.; Benin V. Fire Mater. 2017, 41, 973-982.
  • “Flammability of Natural Plant and Animal Fibers: A Heat Release Survey” Galaska, M. L.; Horrocks, A. R.; Morgan, A. B. Fire Mater. 2017, 41, 275-288 https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.2386
  • “Carbon Nanotube Multilayer Nanocoatings Prevent Flame Spread on Flexible Polyurethane Foam” Holder, K. M.; Cain, A. A.; Plummer, M. G.; Stevens, B. E.; Odenborg, P. K.; Morgan, A. B.; Grunlan J. G. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2016, 301, 665-673 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mame.201500327
  • “Effects of Laundering on Military Uniform Fabric Flammability” Morgan, A. B.; Yip, P. W. Fire Mater. 2016, 40, 599–611 DOI: 10.1002/fam.2313
  • “Synthesis and flammability testing of epoxy functionalized phosphorus-based flame retardants” Benin, V.; Cui, X.; Morgan, A. B.; Seiwert, K. J. App. Polym. Sci. 2015, DOI: 10.1002/app.42296
  • “Flame Retardants: Overview” Morgan, A. B.; Worku, A. Z. Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology John Wiley & Sons, 2015. DOI: 10.1002/0471238961
  • “Apparatus for the Vertical Orientation Cone Calorimeter Testing of Flexible Polyurethane Foams” Galaska, M. L.; Morgan, A. B.; Schenck, K. A.; Stalter, J. G. Fire Mater. 2015, 40, 158-176.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Toubia, E. “Cone Calorimeter and Room Corner Fire Testing of Balsa Wood Core / Phenolic Composites Skin Sandwich Panels” J. Fire Sci. 2014, 32, 327 – 344 DOI: 10.1177/0734904113514944
  • Benin V.; Gardelle B.; Morgan A.B. “Heat Release of Polyurethanes Containing Potential Flame Retardants based on Boron and Phosphorus Chemistries” Polymer Degrad. Stab. 2014, 106, 108-121. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2013.09.004.
  • Laufer, G.; Kirkland, C.; Morgan, A. B.; Grunlan, J. "Exceptionally flame retardant sulfur-based multilayer nanocoating for polyurethane prepared from aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions" ACS Macro Lett. 2013, 2, 361-365. doi.org/10.1021/mz400105e
  • Laufer, G.; Kirkland, C.; Morgan, A. B.; Grunlan, J. C. “Intumescent Mulitlayer Nanocoating, Made with Renewable Polyelectrolytes, for Flame-Retardant Cotton” Biomacromolecules 2012, 13, 2843-2848.
  • Diallo, A-O.; Morgan, A. B.; Len, C.; Marlair, G. “An innovative experimental approach aiming to understand and quantify the actual fire hazards of ionic liquids” Energy Environ. Sci. 2013, 6, 699-710. DOI:10.1039/C2EE23926D
  • Felix, T.; Junior, O. P. P.; Peres, A.; Sayer, C.; Morgan, A. B.; Araújo, P. H. H. “Comparison of Bismuth Trioxide and Antimony Trioxide as Synergists with Decabromodiphenyl Ether in Flame Retardancy of High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)” J. Fire Sci. 2013, 30, 566-574.
  • Diallo, A. O.; Len, C.; Morgan, A. B.; Marlair, G. “Revisiting Phys.-Chem. Related Safety Issues of Ionic Liquids” Journal of Separation and Purification Technology 2012, 97, 228-234 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2012.02.016
  • Ivan, N.; Benin, V.; Morgan, A. B. “Preparation of Phosphonoterphthalic Acids via Palladium-Catalyzed Coupling of Aromatic Iodoesters” Synthetic Communications 2013, 43, 1831-1836. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00397911.2012.673448
  • Benin, V.; Durganala, S.; Morgan, A. B. “Synthesis and Flame Retardant Testing of New Boronated and Phosphonated Aromatic Compounds” J. Mater. Chem. 2012, 22, 1180-1190.
  • Li, Y-C.; Mannen, S.; Yang, Y-H.; Morgan, A. B.; Grunlan, J. C. “Anti-Flammable Intumescent Nanocoatings on Fabric” Advanced Materials 2011, 23, 3926-3931.
  • Nakamura, R.; Netravali, A. N.; Morgan, A. B.; Nyden, M. R.; Gilman, J. W. “Effect of Halloysite Nanotubes on Mechanical Properties and Flammability of Soy Protein based Green Composites” Fire and Materials 2013, 37, 75-90. 
  • Morgan, A. B.; Putthanarat, S. “Use of Inorganic Materials to Enhance Thermal Stability and Flammability Behavior of a Polyimide” Polym. Degrad. Stab. 2011, 96, 23-32.
  • McGrattan, K.; Lock, A.; Marsh, N.; Nyden, M.; Price, M.; Morgan, A. B.; Galaska, M.; Schenck, K. “Cable Heat Release, Ignition, and Spread in Tray Installations During Fire (CHRISTIFIRE) Phase 1: Horizontal Trays.  United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC  NUREG/CR-7010, Vol 1, Published July 2012
  • Morgan, A. B.; Gilman, J. W. “An Overview of Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials: Application, Technology and Future Direction” Fire and Materials 2013, 37, 259-279. 
  • Morgan, A. B.; Liu, W. “Flammability of Thermoplastic Carbon Nanofiber Nanocomposites” Fire Mater. 2011, 35, 43-60.
  • Chen, C.; Morgan, A. B. “Mild Processing and Characterization of Silica Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposite” Polymer 2009, 50, 6265-6273.
  • Higginbotham, A.; Lomeda, J.; Morgan, A. B.; Tour J. T. “Graphite Oxide Flame Retardant Polymer Nanocomposites” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2009, 1, 2256-2261.
  • Hirschler, M. M.; Morgan, A. B. “Thermal Decomposition of Polymers” in “Society for Fire Protection Engineering Handbook” Eds. DiNenno, P. J.; Drysdale, D. D.; Beyler, C. L.; Walton, W. D.; Custer, R. L. P.; Hall, J. R.; Watts, J. M. National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 2008, ISBN 978-0-87765-821-4. 
  • Morgan, A. B.; Wolf, J. D.; Guliants, E. A.; Fernando, K. A. S.; Lewis, W. K. “Heat Release Measurements on Micron and Nano-scale Aluminum Powders” Thermochimica Acta 2009, 488, 1-9.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Gagliardi, N. A.; Price, W. A.; Galaska, M. L. “Cone Calorimeter Testing of S2 Glass Reinforced Polymer Composites” Fire Mater. 2009, 33, 323-344.
  • Fox, D. M.; Gilman, J. W.; Morgan, A. B.; Shields, J. R.; Maupin, P. H.; Lyon, R. E.; De Long, H. C.; Trulove, P. C. “Flammability and Thermal Analysis Characterization of Imadazolium-Based Ionic Liquids” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2008, 47, 6327-6332.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Galaska, M. L. ”Microcombustion calorimetry as a tool for screening flame retardancy in epoxy” Polymers for Advanced Technology 2008, 19, 530-546.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Bundy, M. “Cone Calorimeter Analysis of UL-94 V Rated Plastics” Fire and Materials 2007, 31, 257-283.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Cogen, J. M.; Opperman, R. S.; Harris, J. D. “Magnesium Carbonate Based Flame Retardant Systems for Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) and Poly(ethylene-co-ethyl acrylate).” Fire and Materials. 2007, 31, 387-410.
  • Gilman, J. W.; Harris, R. H.; Shields, J. R.; Kashiwagi, T.; Morgan, A. B. “A study of the flammability reduction mechanism of polystyrene-layered silicate nanocomposite: layered silicate reinforced carbonaceous char” Polym. Adv. Technol. 2006, 17, 263-271. 
  • Morgan, A. B. “Flame Retarded Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites: A Review Of Commercial and Open Literature Systems. Polym. Adv. Technol. 2006, 17, 206-217. 
  • Zhao, J.; Morgan, A. B.; Harris, J. D. “Rheological Characterization of Polystyrene-Clay Nanocomposites to Compare the Degree of Exfoliation and Dispersion" Polymer 2005, 46, 8641-8660.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Chu, L-L.; Harris, J. D. “A flammability performance comparison between synthetic and natural clays in polystyrene nanocomposites” Fire Mater. 2005, 29, 213-229.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Harris, J. D. “Exfoliated Polystyrene-Clay Nanocomposites Synthesized by Solvent Blending with Sonication” Polymer 2004, 45, 8695-8703.
  • Chu, L. L.; Anderson, S. K.; Harris, J. D.; Beach, M. W.; Morgan, A. B. “Styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) layered silicate nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding” Polymer 2004, 45, 4051-4061.
  • Maupin, P. H.; Gilman, J. W.; Harris, R. H.; Bellayer, S.; Bur, A. J.; Roth, S. C.; Murariu, M.; Morgan, A. B.; Harris, J. D. "Optical Probes for Monitoring Intercalation and Exfoliation in Melt Processed Polymer Nanocomposites" Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2004, 25, 788-792.
  • Gilman, J. W.; Bourbigot, S.; Shields, J. R.; Nyden, M. R.; Kashiwagi, T.; Davis, R. D.; VanderHart, D. L.; Demory, W.; Wilkie, C. A.; Morgan, A. B.; Harris, J.; Lyon, R. E “High Throughput Methods for Polymer Nanocomposites Research: Extrusion, NMR Characterization and Flammability Property Screening” Journal of Materials Science 2003, 38, 4451-4460.
  • Awad, W. H.; Bourbigot, S.; Davis, R. D.; Gilman, J. W.; Morgan, A. B.; Vanderhart, D. L.; Wilkie, C. A. "Investigation of nanodispersion in polystyrene-montmorillonite nanocomposites by solid-state NMR" J Polym Sci Part B 2003, 41, 3188-3213.
  • Kashiwagi, T.; Morgan, A. B.; Antonucci, J. M.; VanLandingham, M. R.; Harris, R. H.; Awad, W. H.; Shields, J. R. “Thermal and Flammability Properties of a Silica-Poly(methylmethacrylate) Nanocomposite” J. App. Polym. Sci. 2003, 89, 2072-2078.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Harris, J. D. “Effects of organoclay Soxhlet extraction on mechanical properties, flammability properties and organoclay dispersion of polypropylene nanocomposites” Polymer 2003, 44, 2313-2320.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Harris, R. H.; Kashiwagi, T.; Chyall, L. J.; Gilman, J. W. “Flammability of Polystyrene Layered Silicate (Clay) Nanocomposites: Carbonaceous Char Formation” Fire and Materials 2002, 26, 247-253.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Gilman, J. W. “Characterization of polymer-layered silicate (clay) nanocomposites by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction: A comparative study” J. App. Polym. Sci. 2002, 87, 1329.
  • Gilman, J. W.; Awad, W. H.; Davis, R. D.; Shields, J.; Harris, R. H. Jr.; Davis, C.; Morgan, A. B.; Sutto, T. E.; Callahan, J.; Trulove, P. C.; DeLong, H. C. “Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites from Thermally Stable Trialkylimidazolium-Treated Montmorillonite” Chem. Mater. 2002, 14, 3776.
  • 8Yao, H.; Zhu, J.; Morgan, A. B.; Wilkie, C. A. “Crown Ether-Modified Clays and Their Polystyrene Nanocomposites” Polymer Engineering and Science 2002, 42, 1808.
  • Zanetti, M.; Camino, G.; Canavese, D.; Morgan, A. B.; Lamelas, F. J.; Wilkie, C. A. “Fire Retardant Halogen-Antimony-Clay Synergism in Polypropylene Layered Silicate Nanocomposites” Chem. Mater. 2002, 14, 189.
  • Zhu, J.; Uhl, F. M.; Morgan, A. B.; Wilkie, C. A. “Studies on the Mechanism by Which the Formation of Nanocomposites Enhances Thermal Stability” Chem. Mater. 2001, 13, 4649.
  • Zhu, J.; Morgan, A. B.; Lamelas, F. J.; Wilkie, C. A. “Fire Properties Of Polystyrene-Clay Nanocomposites” Chem. Mater. 2001, 13, 3774.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Gilman, J. W.; Jackson, C. L. “Characterization of the Dispersion of Clay in a Polyetherimide Nanocomposite.” Macromolecules 2001, 34, 2735.
  • Gilman, J. W.; Jackson, C. L.; Morgan, A. B.; Harris, R. H.; Manias, E.; Giannelis, E. P.; Wuthenow, M.; Hilton, D.; Phillips, S. “Flammability Properties of Polymer Layered-Silicate Nanocomposites. Polypropylene and Polystyrene Nanocomposites.” Chem. Mater. 2000, 12, 1866.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Jurs, J. L.; Tour, J. M. “Boronic Acids: Polymer Flame Retardant Additives”  App. Polym. Sci. 2000, 76, 1257. 
  • Morgan, A. B.; Tour, J. M. “Synthesis and Testing of Non-Halogenated Alkyne/Phosphorus-Containing Polymer Additives: Potent Condensed Phase Flame Retardants.” J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 1999, 73, 707-718. 
  • Morgan, A. B.; Tour, J. M. “Synthesis and Testing of Nonhalogenated Alkyne-Containing Flame Retarding Polymer Additives.” Macromolecules 1998, 31, 2857.
  • Morgan, A. B.; Schreiber, H. D. "Recovery of Recyclable Metals from Waste Glass Melts." Ceram. Trans. (Environmental and Waste Management Issues in the Ceramic Industry II) 1994, 45, 145.
  • Schreiber, H. D.; Kochanowski, B. K.; Schreiber, C. W.; Morgan, A. B.; Coolbaugh, M. T.; Dunlap, T. G. “Compositional Dependence of Redox Equilibria in Sodium Silicate Glasses.” J. Non-Cryst. Solids 1994, 177, 340.