Polystyrene that incorporates ultrafine iron particles in a mesoporous silica matrix is far less flammable

Plastics including carbon and hydrogen monomers can be highly flammable, producing flammable gases that can further fuel a flame once they are ignited. Therefore, many materials in this class–including polystyrene, one of the most widely used materials in the world–can not be used in production unless they are made flame retardant or hidden behind barriers like drywall, sheet metal or concrete.

Researchers in Spain have n....