Synthesis and characterization of expandable graphite–poly(methyl methacrylate) composite particles and their application to flame retardation of rigid polyurethane foams

Novel PEPA-functionalized graphene oxide for fire safety enhancement of polypropylene

Polypropylene (PP) is a general-purpose plastic, but some applications are constrained by its high flammability. Thus, flame retardant PP is urgently demanded. In this article, intumescent flame retardant PP (IFRPP) composites with enhanced fire safety were prepared using 1-oxo-4-hydroxymethyl-2,6,7-trioxa-1-phosphabicyclo [2.2.2] octane (PEPA) functionalized graphene oxide (PGO) as synergist. The PGO was prepared through a mild chemical reaction by the covalent attachment of a caged-structure organic compound, PEPA, onto GO nanosheets using toluene diisocynate (TDI) as the intermediary agent. The novel PEPA-functionalized graphene oxide not only improves the heat resistance of GO but also converts GO and PEPA from hydrophobic to hydrophilic materials, which leads to even distribution in PP. In our case, 7 wt% addition of PGO as one of the fillers for IFRPP composites significantly reduces its inflammability and fire hazards when compared with PEPA, by the improvement of first release rate peak (PHRR), total heat release, first smoke release rate peak (PSRR) and total smoke release, suggesting its great potential as the IFR synergist in industry. The reason is mainly attributed to the barrier effect of the unburned graphene sheets, which protects by the decomposition products of PEPA and TDI, promotes the formation of graphitized carbon and inhibits the heat and gas release.

Fabrication of a high-density polyethylene/graphene composite with high exfoliation and high mechanical performance via solid-state shear milling

Due to the high specific area and hydrophobic nature of graphene, it is extremely difficult to fabricate graphene polymer composites without the re-stacking of graphene sheets in non-polar polymer matrix.

Acoustic Properties of Waste Particle Mixed Polyurethane Composites

A variety of particles were mixed with polyurethane-based matrix to develop functional composites. Adding marble, steel, prina (olive oil extraction) and sand particles into PU foam increases sound absorption characteristics of the material. Best results were obtained with marble and steel particles. Marble particles improved high frequency characteristics better than steel particles. Increasing the amount of prina particles enhanced mid-to-high frequency sound absorption properties. Acoustic properties of sand mixed composites were increased to its optimal rates by adding 25% particles into the polyurethane matrix.

Mechanical property and structure of covalent functionalised graphene/epoxy nanocomposites

Thermally reduced graphene nanoplatelets were covalently functionalised via Bingel reaction to improve their dispersion and interfacial bonding with an epoxy resin. Functionalised graphene were characterized by microscopic, thermal and spectroscopic techniques. Thermal analysis of functionalised graphene revealed a significantly higher thermal stability compared to graphene oxide. Inclusion of only 0.1 wt% of functionalised graphene in an epoxy resin showed 22% increase in flexural strength and 18% improvement in storage modulus. The improved mechanical properties of nanocomposites is due to the uniform dispersion of functionalised graphene and strong interfacial bonding between modified graphene and epoxy resin as confirmed by microscopy observations.

Polymer–graphite composite: a versatile use and throw plastic chip electrode

We report an efficient plastic chip electrode (PCE) fabricated from a composite of graphite and poly(methyl methacrylate) by a simple solution casting method and promoted as an economically inexpensive, multipurpose disposable electrode for various applications.

Preparation and properties of flame retardant rigid polyurethane foam with phosphorus–nitrogen intumescent flame retardant

Ethanolamine spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphonate (EMSPB), a novel intumescent flame retardant, was synthesized and used to improve the flame retardancy of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). The effects of EMSPB on the flammability, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of RPUF were discussed, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression strength tests showed that the EMSPB had favorable compatibility with the RPUF matrix and did not deteriorate the mechanical properties of the RPUF. Flammability of RPUF systems containing various contents of EMSPB was investigated by vertical burning test (UL-94) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. Results indicated that when the content of EMSPB was 25 wt%, the LOI of flame retardant RPUF could reach 27.5%, and a UL-94 V-0 rating was achieved. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that RPUF-containing EMSPB had a high yield of residual char at high temperatures, indicating that EMSPB was an effective charring agent. From the SEM observations of the residues of the flame retardant systems burned, the compact charred layers could be seen, which form protective shields to protect effectively the internal structure and inhibited the transmission of heat and heat diffusion during contacting fire.

Preparation of low initial expansion temperature expandable graphite and its flame retardancy for LLDPE

To get expandable graphite (EG) flame retardant for Liner Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) with low initial expansion temperature and high dilatability, the effects of various factors on dilatability were investigated including the dosages of oxidant KMnO4, intercalating reagent H2SO4, assistant intercalating reagent acetic acid (HAc) and reaction temperature. Feasible conditions were obtained according to the results of L9 (34) experiments and single factor experiments. EG with an initial expansion temperature of 160°C and expansion volume of 460 mL g−1 could be prepared according to the mass ratio of material graphite C: KMnO4: 100% H2SO4: HAc = 1.0: 0.4: 5.0: 1.0 (H2SO4 should be diluted to the mass concentration of 75% before the intercalation reaction); the reaction time was 1.0 hour at 25°C. It was found that reaction temperature and H2SO4 dosage were the most important influence factors for dilatability. The limiting oxygen index could be improved to 28.1% by adding 30% of the prepared EG to LLDPE, and the synergistic anti-flame capability of 20% EG with 10% Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) (I) can reach to 33.9%. According to thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis results, 70% LLDPE /10% APP (I) /20% EG synergistic anti-flame system shows higher residual carbon and thermal stability.

Synthesis of graphene-conjugated polymer nanocomposites for electronic device applications

Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites have attracted increasing interest because of their superior physicochemical properties over polymers. Semiconductor conjugated polymers (CPs) with excellent dispersibility and stability, and efficient electronic and optical properties have been recently integrated with graphene to form a new class of functional nanomaterials. In this minireview, we will summarize the recent advances in the development of graphene-CP nanocomposites for electronic device applications.

Acoustic Properties of Tea-Leaf Fiber Mixed Polyurethane Composites

Natural tea-leaf fibers were used as reinforcement agents in different polyurethane-based matrixes to improve the sound absorption properties of the composite. Adding tea-leaf-fibers to rigid polyurethane foam demonstrate limited contribution to sound absorption properties of the material. Furthermore, adding tea-leaf-fibers to soft foam results in a significant improvement of sound absorption properties of the composite. In this study herein, the composite including 24% tea-leaf-fibers was observed to provide the best sound absorption coefficient. Additionally, soft foam demonstrates better acoustic properties than rigid foam.

Preparation and Properties of Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Polyurethane Foams

Polyurethane foams (PUFs) filled with several halogen-free flame retardants and composite halogen-free flame retardants were prepared. The flame retardant, thermal stable and mechanical properties of the PUFs were investigated. The results of limiting oxygen index (LOI) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that PUFs filled with dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) had better flame retardancy compared with other flame retardants and DMMP degraded at a low temperature to form several phosphorated acids which accelerated the formation of char layer. Composite flame retardant of DMMP and melamine (MA) had a synergistic effect between phosphorus and nitrogen. The combination of DMMP and MA slightly altered the density of the PUFs. Results from the mechanical analysis revealed that with the increase in concentration of MA in the composite flame retardant of DMMP and MA, the tensile strength of PUFs reduced firstly and then increased up to a constant.

Effect of cellulose acetate butyrate microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate on the flame retardancy, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of intumescent flame-retardant ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer/microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate/polyamide-6 blends

Ammonium polyphosphate (APP), a widely used intumescent flame retardant, has been microencapsulated by cellulose acetate butyrate with the aim of enhancing the water resistance of APP and the compatibility between the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) matrix and APP. The structure of microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MCAPP) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water contact angle (WCA). The flame retadancy and thermal stability were investigated by a limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, UL-94 test, cone calorimeter, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The WCA results indicated that MCAPP has excellent water resistance and hydrophobicity. The results demonstrated that MCAPP enhanced interfacial adhesion, mechanical, electrical, and thermal stability of the EVA/MCAPP/polyamide-6 (PA-6) system. The microencapsulation not only imparted EVA/MCAPP/PA-6 with a higher LOI value and UL-94 rating but also could significantly improve the fire safety. Furthermore, the microencapsulated EVA/MCAPP/PA-6 composites can still pass the UL-94 V-0 rating after treatment with water for 3 days at 70 °C, indicating excellent water resistance. This investigation provides a promising formulation for the intumescent flame retardant EVA with excellent properties.