Preparation and characterization of flame‐retardant polypropylene/α‐titanium phosphate (nano)composites

Abstract

Polymer/α‐titanium phosphate (nano)composites are reported for the first time in this paper. The α‐titanium phosphate was synthesized via the hydrothermal method and organically modified by ethylamine intercalation. Flame retardant polypropylene/α‐titanium phosphate (nano)composites were prepared by melt blending. The titanium phosphates and (nano)composites were characterized and enhanced thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties were obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed an increase of 65°C in the maximum decomposition temperature and a 34% reduction in the peak value of derivative weight curve, demonstrating enhanced thermal stability. Improved mechanical properties, including elongation at break (70%), impact strength (29%), Young's modulus (11%), and hardness (35%), were obtained. Materials flame retardancy was also improved according to limiting oxygen index and vertical burning test. Probable mechanism for (nano)composites properties enhancements are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Facile Synthesis of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/α-Titanium Phosphate Nanocomposite with Markedly Enhanced Properties

“…Recently, a simple and fast hydrothermal method to synthesis α-TiP was developed in our group. 24 In a typical procedure, TiCl 4 is dripped into deionized water with strong mechanical stirring until the suspension turns into a transparent colloid, and H 3 PO 4 is added to the colloid to form a viscous mud. The TiCl 4 /H 2 O/H 3 PO 4 volume ratio is 1:5:4.…”

“…The refluxing method is usually carried out at 50 °C for several days in a flask equipped with a reflux condensing tube. Recently, a simple and fast hydrothermal method to synthesis α-TiP was developed in our group . In a typical procedure, TiCl 4 is dripped into deionized water with strong mechanical stirring until the suspension turns into a transparent colloid, and H 3 PO 4 is added to the colloid to form a viscous mud.…”

“…Polymer/α-TiP composites were first reported when ethylaminemodified α-TiP was incorporated into flame-retardant polypropylene to improve its thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties. 24 In this work, PVA/α-TiP nanocomposites were prepared by the solvent blending and casting method; the thermal stability, mechanical properties, fire resistance, transparency, and electrical conductivity of the resulting materials were investigated. This work presents a facile and efficient route to prepare high-performance PVA with potential applications in academic research and industrial fields.…”

“…In earlier works, the investigation of α-TiP was mainly focused on intercalation behaviors and cation-exchange properties. Polymer/α-TiP composites were first reported when ethylamine-modified α-TiP was incorporated into flame-retardant polypropylene to improve its thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties . In this work, PVA/α-TiP nanocomposites were prepared by the solvent blending and casting method; the thermal stability, mechanical properties, fire resistance, transparency, and electrical conductivity of the resulting materials were investigated.…”

Flame‐retardancy properties of tris(2‐hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate based charring agents on polypropylene

“…Typical IFR systems containing ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER) have some shortcomings when it is used in plastics applications, such as lower flame retardant efficiency, lower thermal stability and lower water resistance . Many studies have been done to improve these disadvantages, for example, APP's thermal stability and water resistance can be enhanced through an increase in its degree of polymerization or by encapsulation, the flame‐retardant efficiency can be improved by the addition of synergistic agents, such as zeolites, metallic oxide, and layered minerals …”