Synthesis and characterization of a novel epoxy resin based on cyclotriphosphazene and its thermal degradation and flammability performance

Progress in the Field of Cyclophosphazenes: Preparation, Properties, and Applications

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the realm of cyclophosphazenes, encompassing their preparation methodologies, distinctive properties, and diverse applications. The synthesis approaches are explored, highlighting advancements in the preparation of these cyclic compounds. The discussion extends to the distinctive properties exhibited by cyclophosphazenes, including thermal stability characteristics, and other relevant features. Furthermore, we examine the broad spectrum of applications for cyclophosphazenes in various fields, such as coatings, adhesives, composites, extractants, metal complexes, organometallic chemistry, medicine, and inorganic chemistry. This review aims to offer insights into the evolving landscape of cyclophosphazenes and their ever-expanding roles in contemporary scientific and technological arenas. Future possibilities are emphasized, and significant research data shortages are identified.

Pd on cyclotriphosphazen-hexa imine decorated boehmite as an efficient catalyst for hydrogenation of nitro arenes under mild reaction condition

Cyclotriphosphazen-hexa imine ligand was prepared through successive reactions of phosphonitrilchloride trimer with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and (3-aminopropyl) triethoxy silane. The as-prepared ligand was then covalently grafted on boehmite to furnish an efficient support for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles and synthesis of a novel heterogeneous catalyst for hydrogenation of nitro arenes. The catalytic tests revealed that the catalyst had excellent catalytic activity for hydrogenation of various nitro arenes with different steric and electronic features under mild reaction condition in aqueous media. Noteworthy, the catalyst was highly selective and in the substrates with ketone or aldehyde functionalities, reduction of nitro group was only observed. The catalyst was also recyclable and only slight loss of activity was detected after each recycling run. Hot filtration test also approved true heterogeneous nature of catalysis.

Synergistic Effect of Multifunctional Layered Double Hydroxide-Based Hybrids and Modified Phosphagen with an Active Amino Group for Enhancing the Smoke Suppression and Flame Retardancy of Epoxy

To improve the fire hazard of epoxy resin (EP), phosphomolybdate (PMoA), as a classical Keggin cluster, was successfully intercalated into Mg, Al, and Zn layered double hydrotalcite (LDH) by the reconstruction method, and it was denoted as MgAlZn-LDH-PMoA. The structure and morphology of MgAlZn-LDH-PMoA were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Subsequently, hexa(4-aminophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (HACP) was prepared and characterized as a high-performance organic flame retardant, which is rich in flame elements phosphorus and nitrogen. The synergistic effects of MgAlZn-LDH-PMoA and HACP on the fire safety of EP composites loaded with different amounts of flame retardant hybrids were studied in detail. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the char residue of these EP composites increased significantly. Compared with the EP matrix filled with only MgAlZn-LDH-PMoA or HACP, the incorporation of MgAlZn-LDH-PMoA and HACP had a synergistic effect on promoting char formation of EP composites. Particularly, the char yield of EP7 is as high as 29.0%. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of incorporation of MgAlZn-LDH-PMoA with HACP were investigated using the cone calorimeter combustion tests. The results showed that the total heat release and peak heat release rate of the EP composites remarkably declined by 35.2 and 50.9%, respectively, with a loading of 7 wt % hybrid flame retardant. Moreover, the hybrid flame retardants also showed an obvious inhibitory effect on the total smoke production and the release of toxic CO gas. The detailed analysis of the residual char indicated that the main mechanism for improving the flame retardancy and smoke suppression performance is due to both the catalytic carbonization of MgAlZn-LDH-PMoA and phosphoric acid compounds and physical barrier function of the char layer. In addition, the molybdenum oxides produced from [PMo₁₂O₄₀]^3- during combustion can not only increase the yield and compactness of the char layer but also reduce the release of CO through a redox reaction, which has important application value to reduce the fire hazard.

Polyimide Copolymers and Nanocomposites: A Review of the Synergistic Effects of the Constituents on the Fire-Retardancy Behavior

Carbon-based polymer can catch fire when used as cathode material in batteries and supercapacitors, due to short circuiting. Polyimide is known to exhibit flame retardancy by forming char layer in condensed phase. The high char yield of polyimide is attributed to its aromatic nature and the existence of a donor–acceptor complex in its backbone. Fabrication of hybrid polyimide material can provide better protection against fire based on multiple fire-retardancy mechanisms. Nanocomposites generally show a significant enhancement in mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Nanoparticles, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, can enhance flame retardancy in condensed phase by forming a dense char layer. Silicone-based materials can also provide fire retardancy in condensed phase by a similar mechanism as polyimide. However, some inorganic fire retardants, such as phosphazene, can enhance flame retardancy in gaseous phase by releasing flame inhibiting radicals. The flame inhibiting radicals generated by phosphazene are released into the gaseous phase during combustion. A hybrid system constituted of polyimide, silicone-based additives, and phosphazene would provide significant improvement in flame retardancy in both the condensed phase and gas phase. In this review, several flame-retardant polyimide-based systems are described. This review which focuses on the various combinations of polyimide and other candidate fire-retardant materials would shed light on the nature of an effective multifunctional flame-retardant hybrid materials.

Halogen-free layered double hydroxide-cyclotriphosphazene carboxylate flame retardants: effects of cyclotriphosphazene di, tetra and hexacarboxylate intercalation on layered double hydroxides against the combustible epoxy resin coated on wood substrates

The development of halogen-free flame retardants as environmentally friendly and renewable materials for heat and fire-resistant applications in the field of electronics is important to ensure safety measures. In this regard, we have proposed a simple and halogen-free strategy for the synthesis of flame retardant LDH-PN materials to decrease the fire hazards of epoxy resin (EP), via a co-precipitation reaction between Mg(NO₃)₂ and Al(NO₃)₃ and the subsequent incorporation of different cyclotriphosphazene (PN) carboxylate anions. The cyclotriphosphazene-based di, tetra and hexacarboxylate-intercalated layered double hydroxides are designated as LDH-PN-DC, LDH-PN-TC and LDH-PN-HC, respectively. Furthermore, the intercalation of cyclotriphosphazene carboxylate anions into the LDH layers was confirmed by PXRD, FT-IR, TGA, solid-state ³¹P NMR, nitrogen adsorption and desorption analysis (BET), HR-SEM and XPS. Evaluation of the flame retardant (vertical burning test and limiting oxygen index) properties was demonstrated by formulating the LDH-PN materials with epoxy resin (EP) in different ratios coated on wood substrates to achieve the desired behaviour of the EP/LDH-PN composites. Structure–property analysis reveals that EP/LDH-PN-TC-20 wt% and EP/LDH-PN-HC-20 wt% achieved a V₀ rating in the UL-94 V test and achieved higher LOI values (27.7 vol% for EP/LDH-PN-TC-20 wt% and 29 vol% for EP/LDH-PN-HC-20 wt%) compared to the epoxy-coated wood substrate (23.2 vol%), whereas EP/LDH-PN-DC failed in the vertical burning test for various weight percentages of LDH-PN-DC from 5 wt% to 20 wt% in the composites, with a lower LOI value of 22.1 vol%. Excellent flame retardancy was observed for EP/LDH-PN-TC and EP/LDH-PN-HC due to the presence of more binding sites of carboxylate anions in the LDH layers and less or no spiro groups in cyclotriphosphazene compared to that in EP/LDH-PN-DC. In addition, the synergistic flame retardant effect of the combination of LDH and cyclotriphosphazene on the epoxy resin composites remains very effective in creating a non-volatile protective film on the surface of the wood substrate to shelter it from air, absorb the heat and increase the ignition time, which prevents the supply of oxygen during the combustion process. The results of this study show that the proposed strategy for designing flame-retardant properties represents the state-of-the-art, competent coating of inorganic materials for the protection and functionalization of wood substrates.

The flame retardant properties of the different types of cyclotriphosphazene carboxylate-intercalated LDH materials are emphasized by increasing the number of binding sites and decreasing the number of spiro groups in the cyclotriphosphazene core.

Effect of Cyclotriphosphazene-Based Curing Agents on the Flame Resistance of Epoxy Resins

Epoxy resins are characterized by excellent properties such as chemical resistance, shape stability, hardness and heat resistance, but they present low flame resistance. In this work, the synthesized derivatives, namely hexacyclohexylamino-cyclotriphosphazene (HCACTP) and novel diaminotetracyclohexylamino-cyclotriphosphazene (DTCATP), were applied as curing agents for halogen-free flame retarding epoxy materials. The thermal properties and combustion behavior of the cured epoxy resins were investigated. The obtained results revealed that the application of both derivatives significantly increased flame resistance. The epoxy resins cured with HCACTP and DTCATP exhibited lower total heat release together with lower total smoke production compared to the epoxy materials based on conventional curing agents (dipropylenetriamine and ethylenediamine). Comparing both derivatives, the HCACTP-cured epoxy resin was found to provide a higher flame resistance. The designed novel class of epoxy materials may be used for the preparation of materials with improved flame resistance properties in terms of flame spreading and smoke inhibition.

Setaria Viridis-Inspired Electrode with Polyaniline Decorated on Porous Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Nanofibers for Flexible Supercapacitors

Carbon nanofibers are promising as primary electrode materials for supercapacitors on account of high specific surface area, lightweight, superior physicochemical stability, rich resource, and renewability. However, constructing porous and flexible carbon electrode materials with high capacitance for practical applications remains challenging. Here, heteroatom-decorated hierarchical porous carbon nanofiber composites containing phosphazene [N₃P₃(p-OC₆H₄-p-CHO)₆, HAPCP], polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and graphene oxide (GO) are prepared through one-step electrospinning and subsequent thermal treatment. The alternant phosphorus-nitrogen structure links to the carbon backbones to improve flexibility and electrochemical performance. Inspired by a biomimetic Setaria viridis-like structure, the polyaniline (PANI)-decorated porous hybrid electrodes are prepared. The PANI@GO/PMMA/HAPCP/PAN carbon nanofibers (400P@0.1GPHCNFs) covered by PANI nanofibers as a novel free-standing flexible electrode exhibit an excellent electrochemical performance of 680.8 F g^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1 with a good capacitance retention of 93.5% after 3000 cycles. Moreover, the symmetric flexible all-solid-state supercapacitor assembled by the novel and delicate electrodes exhibits a high energy density of 27.70 W h kg^-1 (at a power density of 231.08 W kg^-1) and favorable cycling stability (84.50% retention of the capacitance after 1000 charge-discharge cycles), which indicates that the 400P@0.1GPHCNFs have great potential as a high-performance flexible supercapacitor electrode.

Synthesis of multielement phosphazene derivative and the study on flame-retardant properties of epoxy resin

Herein, we have successfully synthesized phosphorus/nitrogen/silicon tri-elements compound phosphazene derivative hexa-[4-( N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)acetamide)phenoxy]cyclotriphosphazene (HNTPC) from hexachlorotriphosphazenitrile, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, and 3-triethoxysilylpropylamine, and it was used as an additive flame retardant in epoxy resin (EP). Then, the thermal stability and flame retardancy of the composite (HNTPC/EP) were tested. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the presence of HNTPC made EP matrix decompose at a relatively low temperature, thus promoted the formation of a stable coke layer and protected the matrix from fire. Therefore, the amount of carbon residue was markedly increased at 800°C, indicating an outstanding condensed phase flame-retardant effect. Furthermore, various combustion test data manifested that the addition of HNTPC could significantly improve the flame-retardant performance of EP. In addition, the sample could pass the vertical burning tests (UL-94) V-1 grade when the addition amount was 10% and the limiting oxygen index value was 32.6%, the peak heat release rate and total heat release rate decreased by 40.0% and 21.5%, respectively. Besides, the results of scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy also showed that HNTPC can promote the formation of carbon layer and improved the flame-retardant property of EP. Finally, the condensed phase and gas phase synergistic flame-retardant mechanism of HNTPC was proposed.

Thermal Stability and Flame Retardancy of a Cured Trifunctional Epoxy Resin with the Synergistic Effects of Silicon/Titanium

An amino curing agent containing silicon/titanium flame-retardant elements (STCA) based on (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and tetrabutyl titanate was successfully prepared. The thermal decomposition and flame-retardant properties of a STCA-cured trifunctional epoxy resin, which was facilely synthesized by 1,1,1-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane and epichlorohydrin via a two-step method, were compared with those of another amino curing agent containing silicon (SCA) based on APTES and methyltrimethoxysilane. The structures of STCA and SCA were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), ²⁹Si NMR, and Raman spectroscopies. The STCA-cured thermoset not only had good thermal stability with an initial decomposition temperature of 344.8 °C and a char yield of 52.7% at 800 °C but also exhibited the overall improvement of flame-retardant properties. V-0 rating was achieved using the UL-94 test, and the value of limiting oxygen index reached 33.8%. From the thermogravimetry-infrared test, the yield of pyrolysis products of the STCA-cured thermoset was significantly decreased, indicating the lower toxicity in contrast to the SCA-cured thermoset. Flame-retardant performances were also investigated using the cone calorimetry test, and the flame retardancy mechanism was studied using scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR, and energy-dispersive spectrometry. The results indicate that the introduction of silicon/titanium to the system reveals the synergistic effects to promote the formation of an intumescent, sufficient, and compact char layer during combustion, which could effectively prevent heat, oxygen, and flame from penetrating into the interior structure, and lead to the retardance of further combustion.

Synthesis of Bisphenol A Based Phosphazene-Containing Epoxy Resin with Reduced Viscosity

Phosphazene-containing epoxy oligomers (PEO) were synthesized by the interaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCP), phenol, and bisphenol A in a medium of excess of epichlorohydrin using potassium carbonate and hydroxide as HCl acceptors with the aim of obtaining a product with lower viscosity and higher phosphazene content. PEOs are mixtures of epoxycyclophosphazene (ECP) and a conventional organic epoxy resin based on bisphenol A in an amount controlled by the ratio of the initial mono- and diphenol. According to ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, pentasubstituted aryloxycyclotrophosphazene compounds predominate in the ECP composition. The relative content in the ECP radicals of mono- and diphenol was determined by the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry method. The organic epoxy fraction, according to gas chromatograpy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), contains 50-70 wt % diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. PEO resins obtained in the present work have reduced viscosity when compared to other known phosphazene-containging epoxy resins while phosphazene content is still about 50 wt %. Resins with an epoxy number within 12-17 wt %, are cured by conventional curing agents to form compositions with flame-retardant properties, while other characteristics of these compositions are at the level of conventional epoxy materials.

The application of a phosphorus nitrogen flame retardant curing agent in epoxy resin

In order to improve the compatibility of flame retardant and epoxy resin, a phosphorus nitrogen flame retardant curing agent poly(p-xylylenediamine spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphonate) (PPXSPB) was synthesized. FTIR, 1HNMR, and mass spectroscopy were used to identify the chemical structure of PPXSPB. Epoxy resin (E-44) and PPXSPB as the raw material, a series of thermosetting systems were prepared. The effects of PPXSPB on flame retardancy, water resistance, thermal degradation behavior, mechanical properties and the adhesive strength of EP/PPXSPB thermosets were investigated. The results show that with the increase of phosphorus content, the oxygen index and carbon residue of the system both increased significantly, and the heat release rate gradually decreased, which is of great significance in delaying the occurrence of fire. When the phosphorus content is 3.24% in EP/PPXSPB thermosets, EP-2 can successfully pass the UL94 V-0 flammability rating, the LOI value of EP-2 can reach 31.4%, the impact strength and tensile strength was 6.58 kJ/m2 and 47.10 MPa respectively, and the adhesive strength was 13.79 MPa, the system presents a good overall performance.

Design and Application of Highly Efficient Flame Retardants for Polycarbonate Combining the Advantages of Cyclotriphosphazene and Silicone Oil

A novel flame retardant (HSPCTP) was successfully designed and incorporated into a polycarbonate (PC) matrix. Combining the advantages of cyclotriphosphazene and silicone oil, PC/HSPCTP composites passed UL-94 V-0 rating testing with only 3 wt% HSPCTP, and their LOI value increased from 25.0% to 28.4%. The findings showed that HSPCTP exhibits both gas-phase and solid-phase flame-retardant effects. Furthermore, the incorporation of HSPCTP into PC could suppress the release of smoke. Finally, the flame-retardant mechanism is discussed in depth.

Synthesis of Resorcinol-Based Phosphazene-Containing Epoxy Oligomers

Phosphazene-containing epoxy-resorcinol oligomers (PERO) are synthesized in one stage with the direct interaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCP), resorcinol, and epichlorohydrin in the presence of solid NaOH. Depending on the initial ratio of HCP:resorcinol, PERO contains from 20 to 50 wt.% phosphazene component (2.0–4.8% of phosphorus) and have an epoxy group content up to 30 %. Products are characterized using ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. According to mass spectrometry, the phosphazene fractions of PERO include up to 30 individual compounds with a predominance of cyclotriphosphazenes with one unsubstituted chlorine atom and four or five glycidyl groups. PERO has a lower viscosity in comparison with similar resins based on bisphenol A, which can simplify their use as a binder for polymer composites, adhesives, and paints.

Improved thermal properties of epoxy resin modified with polymethyl methacrylate-microencapsulated phosphorus-nitrogen-containing flame retardant

Epoxy resin (EP) composites with improved thermal resistance were fabricated. To solve the problem of low thermal resistance derived from phosphazene flame-retardant additives, we designed a system based on flame-retardant microcapsules P(H), with hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene as the core and polymethyl methacrylate as the shell. The core–shell structure was characterized and confirmed. The thermal resistance of the cured EP composites containing 1 wt% P(H) microcapsules was improved because of the increased glass transition temperatures. The P(2.75H)/EP composites can reach a limited oxygen index of 30.5% and V-1 rating in UL-94 tests. Heat and gas release rates were reduced during combustion tests. Residual images implied that the P(H) microcapsules may promote the formation of a flame-retardant char layer. Pyrolysis analysis demonstrated that the P(H) microcapsules can decompose in two procedures to produce flame-retardant gas components. Therefore, the flame-retardant mechanism involved the flame inhibition effect in the gas phase, and the charring effect in the condensed phase.

Epoxy resin composites with improved thermal resistance and flame retardancy were fabricated based on P(H) microcapsules.

Experimental and Numerical Study of the Interfacial Shear Strength in Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Resin Composite under Thermal Loads

This study examined the influence mechanism of temperature on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between carbon fiber (CF) and epoxy resin (EP) matrices under various thermal loads using experimental and numerical simulation methods. To evaluate the change in IFSS as a function of the increase in temperature, a microbond test was performed under controlled temperature environment from 23°C to 150°C. The experimental results showed that IFSS values of CF/EP reduce significantly when the temperature reaches near glass transition temperature. To interpret the effect of thermal loads on IFSS, a thermal-mechanical coupling finite element model was used to simulate the process of fiber pull-out from EP. The results revealed that temperature dependence of IFSS is linked to modulus of the matrix as well as to the coefficients of thermal expansion of the fiber and matrix.