The Effects of a Macromolecular Charring Agent with Gas Phase and Condense Phase Synergistic Flame Retardant Capability on the Properties of PP/IFR Composites

Electrospun Poly(vinyl Alcohol)/Chitin Nanofiber Membrane as a Sustainable Lithium-Ion Battery Separator

Commercial battery separators are made of polyolefin polymers due to their desired mechanical strength and chemical stability. However, these materials are not biodegradable and are challenging to recycle. Considering the environmental issues from polyolefins, biodegradable polymers can be developed as separators to reduce the potential waste from polyolefin separators. In this work, we investigated the potential of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitin nanofiber (PVA/CHNF) nanofiber as a sustainable lithium-ion battery separator, which was successfully fabricated via the electrospinning and cross-linking method. The PVA/CHNF separator is biodegradable and has an ionic conductivity (1.41 mS cm-1), desirable porosity (86%), good thermal stability (1.4% shrinkage upon heating at 90 °C for 1 h), as well as high electrolyte uptake (388%). The PVA/CHNF separator is also evaluated in the assembled Li//LiFePO4 cells, showing an improved performance compared to the cell with the commercial separator. It shows a discharge capacity of 142 mAh g-1, which is stable throughout 120 charge-discharge cycles. Hence, according to these resulting properties, the PVA/CHNF separator shows promise as a sustainable and environmentally friendly lithium-ion battery separator, offering a high-value use of waste chitin materials.

Waterborne Intumescent Fire-Retardant Polymer Composite Coatings: A Review

Intumescent fire-retardant coatings, which feature thinner layers and good decorative effects while significantly reducing heat transfer and air dispersion capabilities, are highly attractive for fire safety applications due to their effective prevention of material combustion and protection of materials. Particularly, the worldwide demand for improved environmental protection requirements has given rise to the production of waterborne intumescent fire-retardant polymer composite coatings, which are comparable to or provide more advantages than solvent-based intumescent fire-retardant polymer composite coatings in terms of low cost, reduced odor, and minimal environmental and health hazards. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and in-depth overview of waterborne intumescent fire-retardant polymer composite coatings. This review aims to systematically and comprehensively discuss the composition, the flame retardant and heat insulation mechanisms, and the practical applications of waterborne intumescent fire-retardant polymer composite coatings. Finally, some key challenges associated with waterborne intumescent fire-retardant polymer composite coatings are highlighted, following which future perspectives and opportunities are proposed.

Flame Retardancy Performance of Continuous Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant Prepreg

Thermoplastic resin matrix has a high melt viscosity, which is difficult to impregnate with fibers. The addition of flame retardant will further increase the viscosity of the melt and increase the difficulty of impregnation. It is possible to reduce the effect of flame retardant on melt viscosity by adding high-flow polypropylene. In this study, the effect of adding flame retardant on the impregnation quality of prepreg tape was investigated. By adding high-flow polypropylene to improve the melt viscosity of flame-retardant-modified polypropylene, continuous glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene flame-retardant prepreg tape was successfully prepared. Intumescent flame retardant (IFR) was added at 20 wt%, 25 wt%, 30 wt% of the polypropylene matrixes, which were prepared by melt impregnation. The composites were analyzed with thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index testing, UL-94 flame retardancy testing, cone calorimeter testing (CCT) and scanning electron microscopy. Tests involving the flame retardant showed that when the added amount of flame retardant reached 25%, the UL-94 flame retardancy grade reached V0. Compared with the CCT sample heating data, taking economic considerations into account, 25 wt% IFR addition was the most suitable.

Preparation of Mn2+ Doped Piperazine Phosphate as a Char-Forming Agent for Improving the Fire Safety of Polypropylene/Ammonium Polyphosphate Composites

A piperazine phosphate doped with Mn2+ (HP-Mn), as a new char-forming agent for intumescent flame retardant systems (IFR), was designed and synthesized using 1-hydroxy ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, piperazine, and manganese acetate tetrahydrate as raw materials. The effect of HP-Mn and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) on the fire safety and thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) was investigated. The results showed that the combined incorporation of 25 wt.% APP/HP-Mn at a ratio of 1:1 endowed the flame retardant PP (PP6) composite with the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 30.7% and UL-94 V-0 rating. In comparison with the pure PP, the peak heat release rate (PHRR), the total heat release (THR), and the smoke production rate (PSPR) of the PP6 were reduced by 74%, 30%, and 70%, respectively. SEM and Raman analysis of the char residues demonstrated that the Mn2+ displayed a catalytic cross-linking charring ability to form a continuous and compact carbon layer with a high degree of graphitization, which can effectively improve the flame retardancy of PP/APP composites. A possible flame-retardant mechanism was proposed to reveal the synergistic effect between APP and HP-Mn.

Effective Halogen- and Phosphorus-Free Polyphenylene Ether Resin-Based Flame-Retardant Foam

A novel halogen- and phosphorus-free intrinsic flame-retardant foam is fabricated from curable phenol-terminated polyphenylene ether resin with a high molecular weight using phenol, formaldehyde, and diphenyl ether as starting materials. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the pure foam is 24.90% ± 0.28. When 0.5 wt % silica sol is added, the LOI of the foam (SPF-0.5) is up to 28.5% ± 0.15 and both the combustion heat release rate and total combustion heat are low. Moreover, the SPF-0.5 foam exhibits high carbon residue, high compressive strength, and low pulverization rate and is superior to some previously reported phenolic foam. The flame-retardant mechanism includes the condensed-phase flame retardation and the gas-phase flame retardation, with the former being the main step, which is based on the high cross-linking density, the higher strength and smaller size of foam cells, and the formation of a carbon-silicon compound in the foam. This halogen- and phosphorous-free flame-retardant foam is also environmentally benign.

Intumescent Flame Retardant Mechanism of Lignosulfonate as a Char Forming Agent in Rigid Polyurethane Foam

Intumescent flame retardants (IFR) have been widely used to improve flame retardancy of rigid polyurethane (RPU) foams and the most commonly used char forming agent is pentaerythritol (PER). Lignosulfonate (LS) is a natural macromolecule with substantial aromatic structures and abundant hydroxyl groups, and carbon content higher than PER. The flame retardancy and its mechanism of LS as char forming agent instead of PER in IFR formulation were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index testing and cone calorimeter test. The results showed LS as a char forming agent did not increase the density of RPU/LS foams. LOI value and char residue of RPU/LS foam were higher than RPU/PER and the mass loss of RPU/LS foam decreased 18%, suggesting enhanced thermal stability. CCT results showed LS as a char forming agent in IFR formulation effectively enhanced the flame retardancy of RPU foams with respect to PER. The flame retardancy mechanism showed RPU/LS foam presented a continuous and relatively compact char layer, acting as the effect of the flame retardant and heat insulation between gaseous and condensed phases. The efficiency of different LS ratio in IFR formulation as char forming agent was different, and the best flame retardancy and thermal stability was obtained at RPU/LS1.

Functionalization of PET with Phosphazene Grafted Graphene Oxide for Synthesis, Flammability, and Mechanism

Significant improvement in the fire resistance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) while ensuring its mechanical properties is a tremendous challenge. A novel flame retardant (GO-HCCP, graphene oxide-hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene) was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of the graphene oxide (GO) and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and then applied in PET by an in situ polymerization technique. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed a better dispersion of GO-HCCP than GO in the PET matrix. The char yield at 700 °C increased by 32.5% with the addition of GO-HCCP. Moreover, the peak heat release rate (pHRR), peak smoke produce rate (pSPR)and carbon monoxide production (COP)values significantly decreased by 26.0%, 16.7% and 37.5%, respectively, which indicates the outstanding fire and smoke suppression of GO-HCCP. In addition, the composites exhibited higher elastic modulus and tensile strength without compromising the toughness of PET matrix. These significantly reduced fire hazards properties are mainly attributed to the catalytic carbonation of HCCP and the barrier effect of GO. Thus, PET composites with good flame-retardant and mechanical properties were prepared, which provides a new strategy for further flame retardant PET preparation.

Flame Retardant Polypropylenes: A Review

Polypropylene (PP) is a commodity plastic known for high rigidity and crystallinity, which is suitable for a wide range of applications. However, high flammability of PP has always been noticed by users as a constraint; therefore, a variety of additives has been examined to make PP flame-retardant. In this work, research papers on the flame retardancy of PP have been comprehensively reviewed, classified in terms of flame retardancy, and evaluated based on the universal dimensionless criterion of Flame Retardancy Index (FRI). The classification of additives of well-known families, i.e., phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based, mineral, carbon-based, bio-based, and hybrid flame retardants composed of two or more additives, was reflected in FRI mirror calculated from cone calorimetry data, whatever heat flux and sample thickness in a given series of samples. PP composites were categorized in terms of flame retardancy performance as Poor, Good, or Excellent cases. It also attempted to correlate other criteria like UL-94 and limiting oxygen index (LOI) with FRI values, giving a broad view of flame retardancy performance of PP composites. The collected data and the conclusions presented in this survey should help researchers working in the field to select the best additives among possibilities for making the PP sufficiently flame-retardant for advanced applications.

Montmorillonite-Synergized Water-Based Intumescent Flame Retardant Coating for Plywood

In this study, montmorillonite (MMT) was used as an inorganic synergist to prepare the water-based intumescent flame retardant (IFR) ornamental coating for plywood. Results indicate that the 7 wt.% MMT modified IFR coating (No. 3) possess the best fire resistance (longer than 20 min) of the tested samples according to the fire performance, which significantly declines the specific extinction area by 44.12 m2·kg−1 compared to the coating without MMT by cone calorimeter. In addition, characterizations such as XPS, XRD, TG, SEM and FTIR were characterized to investigate the surface and bulk properties as well as the morphology of MMT synergized water-based IFR coating. It is revealed that the residual nitrogenous polyaromatic structure and 25.5% residual mass in the No. 3 coating are a result of the effect of MMT on the antioxidation properties of the char layer.

Improving Mechanical Properties and Reaction to Fire of EVA/LLDPE Blends for Cable Applications with Melamine Triazine and Bentonite Clay

The high flame-retardant loading required for ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer blends with polyethylene (EVA-PE) employed for insulation and sheathing of electric cables represents a significant limitation in processability and final mechanical properties. In this work, melamine triazine (TRZ) and modified bentonite clay have been investigated in combination with aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) for the production of EVA-PE composites with excellent fire safety and improved mechanical properties. Optimized formulations with only 120 parts per hundred resin (phr) of ATH can achieve self-extinguishing behavior according to the UL94 classification (V0 rating), as well as reduced combustion kinetics and smoke production. Mechanical property evaluation shows reduced stiffness and improved elongation at break with respect to commonly employed EVA-PE/ATH composites. The reduction in filler content also provides improved processability and cost reductions. The results presented here allow for a viable and halogen-free strategy for the preparation of high performing EVA-PE composites.

Insight into the Synthesis and Characterization of Organophosphorus-Based Bridged Triazine Compounds

In this article, we report the synthesis of 2,4,6-substituted s-triazine-based organophosphorus compounds via a two-step process, which enables their production in high yields, and with a high purity as solids. In the first step, a Michaelis–Arbuzov rearrangement of cyanuric chloride with triethyl phosphite afforded 2,4,6-trisdiethoxyphosphinyl-1,3,5-triazine (HEPT). Subsequently, the nucleophilic substitution reaction on the triazine carbon was achieved, owing to the electron-withdrawing ability of the phosphonate groups. This characteristic of HEPT facilitated its derivatization with bi-functional amines, producing novel P–C containing bridged triazine organophosphorus compounds. The molecular structures of all of the compounds were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, CHN elemental analysis, and single crystal X-ray analysis. In the thermogravimetric analysis in an N₂ environment, >33% char formation was observed for the bridged compounds. The chemical composition analysis of the char obtained under the oxidative thermal decomposition of the bridged compounds confirmed the presence of phosphorus- and nitrogen-enriched species, which indicate their function in the condensed phase. Comparatively, the detection of HPO and H–C≡P in the gas phase during the pyrolysis of the bridged compounds can act as a source for PO^•, which is known for its gas phase flame inhibition reactions. The synergy of significant char formation and the generation of intermediates leading to PO^• during pyrolysis makes these molecules promising flame-retardant additives.

Synthesis of a Novel Phosphorous-Nitrogen Based Charring Agent and Its Application in Flame-retardant HDPE/IFR Composites

In this work, a novel phosphorous-nitrogen based charring agent named poly(1,3-diaminopropane-1,3,5-triazine-o-bicyclic pentaerythritol phosphate) (PDTBP) was synthesized and used to improve the flame retardancy of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) together with ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ¹³C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) showed that PDTBP was successfully synthesized. Compared with the traditional intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system contained APP and pentaerythritol (PER), the novel IFR system (APP/PDTBP, weight ratio of 2:1) could significantly promote the flame retardancy, water resistance, and thermal stability of HDPE. The HDPE/APP/PDTBP composites (PE3) could achieve a UL-94 V-0 rating with LOI value of 30.8%, and had a lower migration percentage (2.2%). However, the HDPE/APP/PER composites (PE5) had the highest migration percentage (4.7%), lower LOI value of 23.9%, and could only achieve a UL-94 V-1 rating. Besides, the peak of heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and fire hazard value of PE3 were markedly decreased compared to PE5. PE3 had higher tensile strength and flexural strength of 16.27 ± 0.42 MPa and 32.03 ± 0.59 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the possible flame-retardant mechanism of the APP/PDTBP IFR system indicated that compact and continuous intumescent char layer would be formed during burning, thus inhibiting the degradation of substrate material and improving the thermal stability of HDPE.

Synergistic Effect of Graphene Oxide and Mesoporous Structure on Flame Retardancy of Nature Rubber/IFR Composites

Aiming to improve the flame retardancy performance of natural rubber (NR), we developed a novel flame retardant synergistic agent through grafting of MCM-41 to graphene oxide (GO), named as GO-NH-MCM-41, as an assistant to intumescent flame retardants (IFR). The flame retardancy of NR/IFR/GO-NH-MCM-41 composites was evaluated by limited oxygen index (LOI), UL-94, and cone calorimeter test. The LOI value of NR/IFR/GO-NH-MCM-41 reached 26.3%; the UL-94 ratings improved to a V-0 rating. Moreover, the addition of GO-NH-MCM-41 decreased the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and the total heat release (THR) of the natural rubber composites. Furthermore, the addition of GO-NH-MCM-41 increased the thickness of char residue. The images of SEM indicated the char residue was more compact and continuous. The degradation of GO-NH-MCM-41-based NR composites was completed with a mass loss of 35.57% at 600 °C. The tensile strength and the elongation at break of the NR/IFR/GO-NH-MCM-41 composites were 13.9 MPa and 496.7%, respectively. The results of the rubber process analyzer (RPA) reached the maximum value, probably due to a better network of fillers in the matrix.