Synergistic Effects of DOPO-Based Derivative and Organo-Montmorillonite on Flame Retardancy, Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene

Polypropylene (PP), as a general thermoplastic polymer, is broadly used in different fields. However, the high flammability, melt dripping and poor mechanical properties of PP are a constraint to the expansion of its applications. In this paper, PP composites containing a combination of a phenethyl-bridged DOPO derivative (PN-DOPO) and organic montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared via melt blending. The synergistic effects of PN-DOPO and OMMT on the flame retardancy, thermal stability and mechanical properties of PP composites were investigated systematically. The results showed that 20 wt% addition of PN-DOPO with OMMT improved the flame retardancy of PP composites. In particular, the introduction of 17 wt% PN-DOPO and 3 wt% OMMT increased the LOI values of the PP matrix from 17.2% to 23.6%, and the sample reached the V-0 level and reduced the heat release rate and total heat release. TGA indicated that OMMT could improve the thermal stability of the PP/PN-DOPO blends and promote the char residues of PP systems. Rheological behaviour showed a higher storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity of PP/PN-DOPO/OMMT composites, suggesting a more effective network structure. In addition, the tensile strength, flexural properties and impact strength of the PP/PN-DOPO/OMMT composites actually increased for a good dispersion effect. Combined with the char layer analysis, the introduction of OMMT promoted more continuous and compact structural layers containing an aluminium-silicon barrier and phosphorus-containing carbonaceous char in the condensed phase. OMMT can improve the flame retardancy, thermal stability and mechanical properties of PP, and, thus, PN-DOPO/OMMT blends can serve as an efficient synergistic system for flame-retarded PP composites.

Synthesis and characterization of a chalcone-derived epoxy containing pyrazoline ring with excellent flame resistance

Traditional epoxy resins are made by the reaction of petroleum-based bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin. The disadvantages of these petroleum-based epoxy including certain biological toxicity and flammability. To solve these problems, we first synthesized a diphenol compound 3,5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (TPP), which was prepared by condensation reaction of bio-based chalcone with hydrazine hydrate to replace standard petroleum-based bisphenol A. Then it was condensed with epichlorohydrin under alkaline condition to form a fully aromatic pyrazoline ring epoxy (TPP-EP). For further research, we use 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) as the curing agent. When compared with bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA/DDM), TPP-EP/DDM possessed a higher glass transition temperature (233°C vs. 176°C), and even showed that the residual carbon (in N2) and the storage modulus (at 30°C) increased by 201% and 74%, respectively. What’s more, TPP-EP/DDM system also had good inherent flame retardancy. The limiting oxygen index of TPP-EP/DDM was 33.1, reaching the V-0 level tested by UL-94. From the cone test, the THR, p-HRR, p-SPR and TSP values of TPP-EP/DDM systems also showed different degrees of reduction. Since TPP-EP contained tertiary amine active groups that could be used as a kind of catalytic curing agents for epoxy resins, thus the compound had certain self-curing properties. This work was of great significance for the synthesis of pyrazoline bio-based environmentally friendly flame-retardant epoxy resin.

An Effective Method for Preparation of Liquid Phosphoric Anhydride and Its Application in Flame Retardant Epoxy Resin

A novel liquid phosphorous-containing flame retardant anhydride (LPFA) with low viscosity was synthesized from 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MeTHPA) and further cured with bisphenol-A epoxy resin E-51 for the preparation of the flame retardant epoxy resins. Both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements revealed the successful incorporation of DOPO on the molecular chains of MeTHPA through chemical reaction. The oxygen index analysis showed that the LPFA-cured epoxy resin exhibited excellent flame retardant performance, and the corresponding limiting oxygen index (LOI) value could reach 31.2%. The UL-94V-0 rating was achieved for the flame retardant epoxy resin with the phosphorus content of 2.7%. With the addition of LPFA, the impact strength of the cured epoxy resins remained almost unchanged, but the flexural strength gradually increased. Meanwhile, all the epoxy resins showed good thermal stability. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and thermal decomposition temperature (T_d) of epoxy resin cured by LPFA decreased slightly compared with that of MeTHPA-cured epoxy resin. Based on such excellent flame retardancy, low viscosity at room temperature and ease of use, LPFA showed potential as an appropriate curing agent in the field of electrical insulation materials.

Fire-Safe Polymer Composites: Flame-Retardant Effect of Nanofillers

Currently, polymers are competing with metals and ceramics to realize various material characteristics, including mechanical and electrical properties. However, most polymers consist of organic matter, making them vulnerable to flames and high-temperature conditions. In addition, the combustion of polymers consisting of different types of organic matter results in various gaseous hazards. Therefore, to minimize the fire damage, there has been a significant demand for developing polymers that are fire resistant or flame retardant. From this viewpoint, it is crucial to design and synthesize thermally stable polymers that are less likely to decompose into combustible gaseous species under high-temperature conditions. Flame retardants can also be introduced to further reinforce the fire performance of polymers. In this review, the combustion process of organic matter, types of flame retardants, and common flammability testing methods are reviewed. Furthermore, the latest research trends in the use of versatile nanofillers to enhance the fire performance of polymeric materials are discussed with an emphasis on their underlying action, advantages, and disadvantages.

Flame Retardant Epoxy Composites on the Road of Innovation: An Analysis with Flame Retardancy Index for Future Development

Nowadays, epoxy composites are elements of engineering materials and systems. Although they are known as versatile materials, epoxy resins suffer from high flammability. In this sense, flame retardancy analysis has been recognized as an undeniable requirement for developing future generations of epoxy-based systems. A considerable proportion of the literature on epoxy composites has been devoted to the use of phosphorus-based additives. Nevertheless, innovative flame retardants have coincidentally been under investigation to meet market requirements. This review paper attempts to give an overview of the research on flame retardant epoxy composites by classification of literature in terms of phosphorus (P), non-phosphorus (NP), and combinations of P/NP additives. A comprehensive set of data on cone calorimetry measurements applied on P-, NP-, and P/NP-incorporated epoxy systems was collected and treated. The performance of epoxy composites was qualitatively discussed as Poor, Good, and Excellent cases identified and distinguished by the use of the universal Flame Retardancy Index (FRI). Moreover, evaluations were rechecked by considering the UL-94 test data in four groups as V0, V1, V2, and nonrated (NR). The dimensionless FRI allowed for comparison between flame retardancy performances of epoxy composites. The results of this survey can pave the way for future innovations in developing flame-retardant additives for epoxy.

Investigation of nickel ammonia phosphate with different morphologies as a new high-efficiency flame retardant for epoxy resin

Nanowires, nanosheets, and microflowers of nickel ammonium phosphate (NiNH4PO4·H2O) were synthesized by a mixed solvothermal method and used to improve the flame retardancy of epoxy resin (EP). The solvent concentration and surfactant content were found to play a key role in nucleation and growth of NiNH4PO4·H2O. The structure of NiNH4PO4·H2O was characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The flame retardancy, thermostability, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy mechanism of EP/NiNH4PO4·H2O composites were analyzed using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimetry (Cone), mechanical property tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermogravimetric–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that NiNH4PO4·H2O has proper thermal stability and greatly improves the flame retardancy of EP. The nanosheets outperformed the other morphologies; the EP/5% NiNH4PO4·H2O nanosheets have an LOI of 35.2%, which exceeds that of pure EP (24.7%). Furthermore, Cone showed that these nanosheets have the lowest peak heat release rate and peak smoke production rate, which are 69.1% and 36.5% lower than those of pure EP, respectively. NiNH4PO4·H2O can promote the formation of a stable char layer and release nonflammable gases, thus protecting the matrix by preventing heat and oxygen transfer and reducing the concentration of combustible gas. NiNH4PO4·H2O is expected to serve as a new high-efficiency flame retardant for EP.