Improving flame retardant and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε-caprolactone) composites using catalytic imidazolium modified CNTs and ammonium polyphosphate

The flame retardants and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance were enhanced by using imidazolium-functionalized polyurethane (IPU) modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) for polylactic acid (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) composites. The PLA/PCL/10APP/8CNT/1.6IPU composite containing 10 wt% APP and 8 wt% imidazolium modified CNTs reached the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 30.3 % and passed the V-0 rating in UL-94 tests. Moreover, the peak of the heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) for this composite reached around 302 kW/m2 and 64 KJ/m2, which were decreased by 39.1 % and 15.8 % compared with that of PLA/PCL/10APP composite. The improved flame retardancy was attributed to the interplay of catalytic, barrier, and condensed char forming of imidazolium-modified CNTs and APP. IPU catalyzed the charring effect of the polymer matrix during combustion and regulated the migration of more CNTs to disperse at the two-phase interface. The dispersion of imidazolium-modified CNTs and co-continuous phase structure of the composites can establish continuous conductive pathways. The PLA/PCL/APP/CNT/IPU composite obtained a higher conductivity compared to the PLA/PCL/APP/CNT composite and whose EMI SE reached 33.9 dB, which is a promising candidate for next-generation sustainable and protective plastics.

A Spear and Shield-Inspired Ar Plasma Safeguard Few-Layer Black Phosphore with Firefighting of Epoxy Resin

Appearing as an innovative and efficient strategy, a facile strategy of a plasma ball mill is carried out to prepare few-layer black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs), for abating the fire risk of epoxy resin (EP). A spear and shield-inspired Ar plasma emergeed through a plasma ball mill to prevent Ar@BP nanosheets from oxidation compared with the preparation of BP nanosheets (MBPNSs) in a mechanical ball mill. The absorption coefficient in the synchrotron radiation spectrum is increased by 16.91%, indicating that BP is effectively protected by Ar proof. The Vienna ab initio simulation reveals that the combination of Ar@BP with oxygen cannot proceed spontaneously with the binding energy of 4.44 eV. With the introduction of 1.5 wt% Ar@BP, the total heat release (THR), total smoke release (TSR), total smoke production(TSP), CO, and CO2 yield, compared with that of EP, are descended by 30.40%, 24.41%, 24.10%, 33.23%, and 37.60%, respectively, indicating excellent flame retardancy property. It is attributed to the condensed and gas phase function. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and elongation at break increase by 27.92% and 56.04%, respectively, with the incorporation of 1.5 wt% Ar@BP.

Polyurethanes Modified by Ionic Liquids and Their Applications

Polyurethane (PU) refers to the polymer containing carbamate groups in its molecular structure, generally obtained by the reaction of isocyanate and alcohol. Because of its flexible formulation, diverse product forms, and excellent performance, it has been widely used in mechanical engineering, electronic equipment, biomedical applications, etc. Through physical or chemical methods, ionic groups are introduced into PU, which gives PU electrical conductivity, flame-retardant, and antistatic properties, thus expanding the application fields of PU, especially in flexible devices such as sensors, actuators, and functional membranes for batteries and gas absorption. In this review, we firstly introduced the characteristics of PU in chemical and microphase structures and their related physical and chemical performance. To improve the performance of PU, ionic liquids (ILs) were applied in the processing or synthesis of PU, resulting in a new type of PU called ionic PU. In the following part of this review, we mainly summarized the fabrication methods of IL-modified PUs via physical blending and the chemical copolymerization method. Then, we summarized the research progress of the applications for IL-modified PUs in different fields, including sensors, actuators, transistors, antistatic films, etc. Finally, we discussed the future development trends and challenges faced by IL-modified PUs.

Facile preparation of uniform polydopamine particles and its application as an environmentally friendly flame retardant for biodegradable polylactic acid

The demand for environmentally benign flame retardants for biodegradable polymers has become particularly necessary due to their inherently “green” nature. This work reports intrinsically non-toxic polydopamine (PDA) particles as an efficient and environmentally friendly flame retardant for polylactic acid (PLA). 5 wt% PDA loading resulted in a 22% reduction in the peak heat release rate, 34.7% increase in the fire performance index, and lower CO2 production compared to neat PLA. A limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 27.5% and a V-2 rating was achieved in the UL-94 vertical burning test. Highly aggregated amorphous particulate char was formed with the increasing content of PDA, and a significant reduction in evolved pyrolysis gaseous products was achieved for the PLA/PDA composites as compared with control PLA. This work provides important insight into the potential commercial application of PDA alone as an efficiently green, environmentally benign flame retardant for bioplastic PLA.

Hypophosphite/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Hybrids: Preparation and Flame-Retardant Application in Thermoplastic Polyurethane

A series of aluminum hypophosphite (AHPi)/graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) (designated as CAHPi) hybrids were prepared, followed by incorporation into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The introduction of CAHPi hybrids into TPU led to a marked reduction in the peak of the heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release, weight loss rate, smoke production rate and total smoke production (TSP). For instance, pHRR and TSP decreased by 40% and 50% for TPU/CAHPi20. Furthermore, the increasing fire growth index and decreasing fire performance index were obtained for TPU/CAHPi systems, suggesting reduced fire hazards. It was found that improved fire safety of TPU nanocomposites was contributed by condensed phase and gas phase mechanisms. On one hand, g-C₃N₄ accelerated the thermal decomposition of AHPi for the formation of more char layers. On the other hand, g-C₃N₄ induced AHPi to generate more free radical capture agents when exposed to flame, besides protecting AHPi against thermal oxidation.

Graphitic carbon nitride/phosphorus-rich aluminum phosphinates hybrids as smoke suppressants and flame retardants for polystyrene

Graphitic carbon nitride/organic aluminum hypophosphites (g-C₃N₄/OAHPi) hybrids, i.e., CPDCPAHPi and CBPODAHPi, were synthesized by esterification and salification reactions, and then incorporated into polystyrene (PS) to prepare composites through a melt blending method. Structure and morphology characterizations demonstrated the successful synthesis of PDCPAHPi, BPODAHPi and their hybrids. The g-C₃N₄ protected OAHPi from external heat and thus improved the thermal stability of OAHPi. Combining g-C₃N₄ with OAHPi contributed to reduction in peak of heat release rate, total heat release and smoke production rate of PS matrix. Reduced smoke released has also been demonstrated by smoke density chamber testing. Additionally, introduction of the hybrids led to decreased release of flammable aromatic compounds. These properties improvement could be attributed to gas phase action and physical barrier effect in condensed phase: phosphorus-containing low-energy radicals generated from OAHPi effectively captured high-energy free-radicals evolved from PS; g-C₃N₄ nanosheets retarded the permeation of heat and the escape of volatile degradation products. Therefore, g-C₃N₄/OAHPi hybrids will provide a potential strategy to reduce the fire hazards of PS.

Synthesis and characterization of two-component acidic ion intercalated layered double hydroxide and its use as a nanoflame-retardant in ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)

A series of two-component acidic ion intercalated layered double hydroxides (MgAlZn-X₁/X₂-LDHs) were synthesized by coprecipitation under microwave crystallization, and were further used as novel nanoflame-retardants for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).