Flame‐retardant behavior of bi‐group molecule derived from phosphaphenanthrene and triazine groups on polylactic acid

The flame‐retardant polylactic acid (PLA) has been prepared via mixing the flame retardant TGIC‐DOPO derived from phosphaphenanthrene and triazine groups into matrix. The flame retardancy of TGIC‐DOPO/PLA composites was characterized using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL94), and cone calorimeter test. Results reveal that the 10%TGIC‐DOPO/PLA composite obtained 26.1% of LOI and passed UL94 V‐0 rating. The flame‐retardant mechanism of PLA composites was characterized via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, and TGA‐Fourier transform infrared. It discloses that TGIC‐DOPO promoted PLA decomposing and dripping early, and it also released the fragments with quenching and dilution effects. These actions of TGIC‐DOPO contribute to reducing the burning intensity and extinguishing the fire on droplets, thus imposing better flame retardancy to PLA. When TGIC‐DOPO was partly replaced by melamine cyanuric with dilution effect and hexa‐phenoxy‐cyclotriphosphazene with quenching effect in composites respectively, the results confirm that TGIC‐DOPO utilize well‐combination in dilution effect and quenching effect to flame retard PLA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hugely enhanced flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties of UHMWPE composites with silicone‐coated expandable graphite

In this paper, silicone‐coated intumescent flame retardants was prepared by an efficient and simple approach, aiming at enhancing the flame‐retardant efficiency and smoke suppression properties. The surface of expandable graphite (EG) was treated prior to the coverage of nonflammable silicone. The resultant silicone‐modified EG hybrid (SEG) was combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and applied as a flame‐retardant and smoke‐suppressant for ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Compared with UHMWPE/APP/EG (with 15 wt% APP/EG), UHMWPE/APP/SEG (with 15 wt% APP/SEG) gives decrement by 18.5% in the peaks of the heat release rate, 6.33% in total heat release and 13.6% in total smoke release, whereas increment by 23% in tensile strength and 12.1% in elongation at break, respectively. It is suggested that the introduction of silicone on the surface of EG can improve the interfacial compatibility between EG and UHMWPE. Moreover, it can lead to forming more char residue and reducing the release of smoke particulates during combustion process of the composites.     

A flame‐retardant DOPO‐MgAl‐LDH was prepared and applied in poly (methyl methacrylate) resin

A novel inorganic and organic composite flame retardant (9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide [DOPO]–layered double hydroxide [LDH]) was synthesized via grafting DOPO with organic‐modified Mg/Al‐LDH, which was introduced into poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin to prepare the flame‐retardant PMMA composites. Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) showed that the T_‐50% of DOPO‐LDH/PMMA composites enhanced by about 20°C, and with the 20% flame retardant, the residual char content can be increased by 39.8% in the air atmosphere compared with LDH/PMMA composites. In the UL‐94 and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests, it can be found that compared with LDH/PMMA composites, the LOI value of DOPO‐LDH/PMMA composites were raised evidently with the increased flame retardants, and the droplet combustion was greatly improved. These results could be ascribed to the action of DOPO free‐radical, catalytic charring of polymer and the effect of LDH physical barrier. Moreover, the novel DOPO‐LDH not only given PMMA a good flame‐retardant property and thermal stability, but also have higher visible light transmittance, ultraviolet‐shielding effect, and low loss of mechanical properties, which could further facilitate the wide application of inorganic environment‐friendly flame retardants in general resins and engineering resins and broaden the application of polymers.     

Synthesis and characteristics of a novel silicon‐containing flame retardant and its application in poly[2,2‐propane‐(bisphenol)carbonate]/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

Novel halogen‐free compounds [9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphanthrene‐10‐oxide/vinyl methyl dimethoxysilane/N‐β‐(aminoethyl)‐γ‐aminopropyl methyl dimethoxysilane (DOPO–VMDMS–NMDMS)] that simultaneously contain phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon have been synthesized through the reaction of 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO), vinyl methyl dimethoxysilane (VMDMS), and N‐β‐(aminoethyl)‐γ‐aminopropyl methyl dimethoxysilane (NMDMS). The chemical structure and properties of DOPO–VMDMS–NMDMS have been investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, phosphorous nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These synthesized flame retardants have been blended with a poly[2,2‐propane‐(bisphenol) carbonate]/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) alloy. The flame‐retardant properties of these mixture samples have been estimated with the limiting oxygen index (LOI), and the thermal stability has been characterized with TGA. The LOI value of PC/ABS/DOPO–VMDMS–NMDMS is enhanced up to 27.2 vol % from 21.2 vol %, and the char yield is also improved slightly (from 12 to 17%) with 2.8 wt % phosphorus, 3.0 wt % silicon, and 0.5 wt % nitrogen (at a 30 wt % loading of DOPO–VMDMS–NMDMS). The results show that there is a synergistic effect of the elements phosphorus, silicon, and nitrogen on the flame retardance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1542–1551, 2007     

Synthesis of DOPO‐based pyrazine derivative and its effect on flame retardancy and thermal stability of epoxy resin

A novel DOPO‐based pyrazine derivative 6‐((2‐hydroxyphenyl)(pyrazin‐2‐ylamino)methyl)dibenzo[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinine 6‐oxide (DHBAP) was triumphantly synthesized by a two‐step addition reaction using 2‐aminopyrazine, 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) as reactants, and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ¹H NMR. Afterwards, the addition type flame retardant (DHBAP) was utilized to modify epoxy resin (EP) by blending method. When the content of DHBAP in neat EP was 8 wt%, it reached to the V‐0 rating and the limited oxygen index (LOI) value up to 34.0%. Furthermore, according to the cone calorimeter (CC) test results, the heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), smoke produce rate (SPR) and total smoke production (TSP) of EP/8% DHBAP decreased by 26.3%, 21.3%, 37.0% and 60.9% when compared with neat EP, respectively, indicating that DHBAP had good inhibition on heat and smoke releases. Eventually, the flame‐retardant mechanism of DHBAP was further explored by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS). The results showed that DHBAP had good flame‐retardant activity in the gasous‐condensed two phases.     

Synergistic flame‐retardant effect of DOPO‐based derivative and organo‐montmorillonite on glass‐fiber‐reinforced polyamide 6 T

Herein, a bridged 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) derivative (PN‐DOPO) in combination with organ‐montmorillonite (OMMT) was used to improve the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of glass‐fiber‐reinforced polyamide 6 T (GFPA6T). The flame retardancy and thermal stabilities of the cured GFPA6T composites were investigated using limiting oxygen index, vertical burning (UL‐94) test, cone calorimeter test, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphological analysis and chemical composition of the char residues after cone calorimeter tests were characterized via scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. The results indicate that 2 wt% OMMT combined with 13 wt% PN‐DOPO in GFPA6T achieved a V‐0 rating in UL‐94 test. The peak heat release rate and total smoke release remarkably decreased with the incorporation of OMMT as compared to those of GFPA6T/15 wt% PN‐DOPO. The TGA results show that the thermal stability and residual mass of the samples effectively increased with the increase in OMMT content. The morphological analysis and composition structure of the residues demonstrate that a small amount of OMMT could help form a more thermally stable and compact char layer during combustion. Also, with the incorporation of OMMT, the layers consisted of more carbon‐silicon and aluminum phosphate char in the condensed phase. Furthermore, GFPA6T/PN‐DOPO/OMMT composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties in terms of flexural modulus, flexural strength, and impact strength than the GFPA6T/PN‐DOPO system. The combination of PN‐DOPO and OMMT has improved the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of GFPA6T without compromising the mechanical properties.     

Additive manufacturing of fire‐retardant ethylene‐vinyl acetate

Thermocompression (with also extrusion and injection molding) is a classical polymer shaping manufacturing, but it does not easily allow designing sophisticated shapes without using a complex mold, on the contrary to 3D printing (or polymer additive manufacturing), which is a very flexible technique. Among all 3D printing techniques, fused deposition modeling is of high potential for product manufacturing, with the capability to compete with conventional polymer processing techniques. This is a quite low cost 3D printing technique, but the range of filaments commercially available is limited. However, in some specific 3D printing processes, no filaments are necessary. Polymers pellets feed directly the printing nozzle allowing to investigate many polymeric matrices with no commercial limitation. This is of high interest for the design of flame‐retarded materials, but literature is scarce in that field. In this paper, a comparison between thermocompression and 3D printing processes was performed on both neat ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and EVA flame retarded with aluminum triHydroxyde (ATH) containing different loadings (30 or 65 wt%) and with expandable graphite (EG), ie, EVA/ATH (30 wt%), EVA/ATH (65 wt%), and EVA/EG (10 wt%), respectively. Morphological comparisons, using microscopic and electronic microprobe analyses, revealed that 3D printed plates have lower apparent density and higher porosity than thermocompressed plate. The fire‐retardant properties of thermocompressed and 3D printed plates were then evaluated using mass loss calorimeter test at 50 kW/m². Results highlight that 3D printing can be used to produce flame‐retardant systems. This work is a pioneer study exploring the feasibility of using polymer additive manufacturing technology for designing efficient flame‐retarded materials.     

Flame retardancy mechanisms of phosphorus‐containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (DOPO‐POSS) in polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene blends

The flame retardancy mechanisms of a novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane containing 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO‐POSS) in polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (PC/ABS) blends are discussed. The thermal stability of PC/ABS composites with different DOPO‐POSS loadings are investigated by TGA and the enhancement of the thermal stability could be found at high temperature range. Their fire behavior is tested by the LOI, UL‐94, and cone calorimeter. Excellent flame retardancy of PC/ABS composites have been discovered with 10 wt% DOPO‐POSS loading. TGA‐FTIR, FTIR, XPS, and SEM, respectively, are used to characterize the gaseous products and the condensed residue in thermal decomposition, and the micro‐structure of the chars from cone calorimeter tests. The decomposition of PC/ABS with 10 wt% DOPO‐POSS shows significant changes compared with PC/ABS by TGA, FTIR, TGA‐FTIR, and XPS analysis. The enhancement of the thermal‐oxidative stability of PC/ABS with DOPO‐POSS is attributed to the interaction between DOPO‐POSS and PC/ABS at high temperature, which might be the key for improvement of the flame retardancy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flame retardant and toughening behaviors of bio‐based DOPO‐containing curing agent in epoxy thermoset

Based on bio‐based furfural, a phosphorus‐containing curing agent (FPD) was successfully synthesized, via the addition reaction between 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10 phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) and furfural‐derived Schiff base. Then, as co‐curing agent, FPD was used to prepare flame retardant epoxy thermosets (EP) cured by 4, 4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane. The incorporated FPD improved the flame retardancy and toughness of epoxy thermoset, simultaneously. When 5 wt% FPD was added into EP, the FPD/EP achieved 35.7% limited oxygen index (LOI) value and passed UL94 V‐0 rating, meanwhile. In FPD/EP thermoset, the incorporated FPD reduced the thermal decomposition rate, increased the charring capacity, and inhibited the combustion intensity of epoxy thermoset. Through gas‐phase and condensed‐phase actions in weakening fuel supply, suppressing volatile combustion, and enhancing charring barrier effect, FPD decreased the heat release of burning epoxy thermoset, significantly. For the outstanding effectiveness on both flame retardancy and toughness, the study on FPD provides a promising way to manufacture high‐performance epoxy thermoset.     

Syntheses and flame retarding properties of DOPO polymers,melamine polymers,and DOPO‐melamine copolymers

The 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) polymers, melamine polymers, and DOPO‐melamine copolymers have been successfully synthesized, and their flame retarding properties have also been investigated by blending with polypropylene (PP)/styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS) alloys. Experimental results establish that all of them are good polymeric flame retardants. No blooming or color stains occur when they are incorporated into PP/SEBS alloys. Among lab‐made polymeric flame retardants, DOPO‐ melamine copolymers exhibit the best thermal stability and nonflammability. PP/SEBS alloys containing DOPO‐melamine copolymers display comparable thermal resistance and flame retarding behavior (T_d = 290°C; char yield: 15.6%, LOI: 23, and flammability: UL‐94 V0) as the alloys containing common commercial flame retardants (i.e., DOPO, melamine, and ammonium polyphosphate). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aluminum hypophosphite in combination with expandable graphite as a novel flame retardant system for rigid polyurethane foams

The main aim of this work was to investigate the synergistic effect of expandable graphite (EG) and aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) on the flame retardancy of rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs). A series of flame retardant RPUF containing EG and AHP were prepared by one‐shot and free‐rise method. The flame retardant, thermal degradation, and combustion properties of RPUF hybrids were characterized through limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, vertical burning (UL‐94) test, thermogravimetric analysis and microscale combustion calorimeter. The LOI and UL‐94 results showed that the RPUF sample with 10 wt% EG and 5 wt% AHP passed UL‐94 V‐0 rating and reached a relatively high LOI value of 28.5%, which is superior over other EG/AHP ratios in RPUF at the equivalent filler loading. Microscale combustion calorimeter results revealed that the incorporation of EG and AHP into RPUF reduced the peak heat release rate and total heat release, thus decrease the fire risk of RPUF significantly. Incorporation of EG and AHP improved the thermal stability of RPUF as observed from the thermogravimetric analysis results and also enhanced the thermal resistance of char layer at high temperature from scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, it could be seen from thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry spectra that the addition of EG and AHP significantly decreased the combustible gaseous products such as hydrocarbons and ethers. Finally, the synergistic mechanism in flame retardancy was discussed and speculated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

磷系阻燃环氧树脂研究

本文对近年来国内外9,10-二氢-9-氧杂-10-磷杂菲-10-氧化物（DOPO）衍生物的合成及其应用于阻燃环氧树脂的方法进行介绍，并对所显示的阻燃性、热性能等作了概述和比较。将反应型磷系阻燃剂DOPO衍生物引入环氧树脂基体结构中形成阻燃持久、无卤、低烟、无毒、热稳定性好的新型含磷环氧树脂。     

Synergistic effects of ammonium polyphosphate and red phosphorus with expandable graphite on flammability and thermal properties of HDPE/EVA blends

In this work, the flame‐retardant high‐density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl‐acetate copolymer (HDPE/EVA) composites have been prepared by using expandable graphite (EG) as a flame retardant combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and red phosphorus masterbatch (RPM) as synergists. The synergistic effects of these additives on the flammability behaviors of the filled composites have been investigated by limiting oxygen index, UL‐94 test, cone calorimeter test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that APP and RPM are good synergists for improving the flame retardancy of EG‐filled HDPE/EVA composites. The data from TGA and FTIR spectra also indicate the synergistic effects of APP and RPM with EG considerably enhance the thermal degradation temperatures but decrease the charred residues of the HDPE/EVA/EG composites because the flame‐retardant mechanism has changed. The morphological observations present positive evidences that the synergistic effects take place in APP and RPM with EG in flame‐retardant EG‐filled HDPE/EVA/EG composites. The formation of stable and compact charred residues promoted by APP and RPM with EG acts as effective heat barriers and thermal insulations, which improves the flame‐retardant performances and prevents the underlying polymer materials from burning. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic effect of DOPO immobilized silica nanoparticles in the intumescent flame retarded polypropylene composites

The synergistic effect of 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) immobilized silica (SiO₂‐DOPO) nanoparticles with an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) on the flame retardancy of polypropylene (PP) was investigated by UL 94 vertical tests and limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements. It was found that the PP/IFR composites (25 wt%) achieved the UL94 V0 grade and LOI increased to 32.1 with an incorporation of 1.0 wt% SiO₂‐DOPO nanoparticles. Based on thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electronic microscopy and rheological analysis, it is speculated that three factors are mainly contributed to the improvement of the flame retardancy. First, the thermal stability of PP/IFR composites was improved by incorporating SiO₂‐DOPO nanoparticles. Second, the presence of SiO₂‐DOPO nanoparticles could induce the formation of a continuous char skin layer during combustion. The compact char layer could effectively impede the transport of bubbles and heat. Third, rheological analysis indicated that SiO₂‐DOPO nanoparticles could increase viscosity of the PP/IFR composites, which was also benefited to increase flame retardancy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and property of phosphorus‐containing bismaleimide by a novel method

A series of novel addition products (phosphorus content: 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 wt %) were synthesized from the reaction of 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene 10‐oxide (DOPO) and 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BMI). NMR and IR were used to confirm the structures of the synthetic bismaleimides. Dynamic mechanical analysis scans showed the glass‐transition temperatures of these cured BMIs decreased with phosphorus content. Thermal gravimetric analysis heating scans indicated that they had high thermal stability. Limiting oxygen index measurements implied that the flame retardancy was improved by the incorporation of DOPO. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2260–2268, 2000     

Flammability and Thermal Oxidative Degradation Kinetics of Magnesium Hydroxide and Expandable Graphite Flame Retarded Polypropylene Composites

The flammability and the thermal oxidative degradation kinetics of expandable graphite (EG) with magnesium hydroxide (MH) in flame‐retardant polypropylene (PP) composites were studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that EG is a good synergist for improving the flame retardancy of PP/MH composite and the effect is enhanced with decreasing EG particle size. The Kissinger method and Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa method were used to determine the apparent activation energy (E) for degradation of PP and flame retarded PP composites. The data obtained from the TGA curve indicate that EG markedly increases the thermal degradation temperature of PP/MH composites and improves the thermal stability of the composites. The kinetic results show that the values of E for degradation of flame retarded PP composites is much higher than that of neat PP, especially PP/MH composites with suitable amount of EG, which indicates that the flame retardants used in this work have a great effect on the mechanisms of pyrolysis and combustion of PP.     

Investigation of melamine and DOPO-derived flame retardants for the bioplastic cellulose acetate

In order to identify suitable flame retardant additives for the eco-friendly polymer cellulose acetate (CA), high-melting derivatives of the known flame retardant 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) were combined with the thermoplastic CA and the combustion properties were tested. CA mixtures with bis-phosphonamidates (EDA-DOPO and PIP-DOPO) showed distinct flame retardation effects and a reduction of peak heat release rates (PHRR) by up to 18%. CA mixtures with MDOP, a melamine salt of DOPA (an oxidation product of DOPO), also showed considerable effects and a reduction of PHRR by up to 27%. While producing more smoke than pure CA and CA plus melamine, owing to its aromatic component, MDOP was superior to the CA mixtures with DOPO, EDA-DOPO and PIP-DOPO in this regard. The mixture of CA with melamine gave rise to a distinctly reduced formation of toxic CO and smoke when compared with pure CA. Thus, these additives can be considered for future applications of CA-based polymers with enhanced flame protection.     

Routes to halogen‐free flame‐retardant polypropylene wood plastic composites

Developing halogen‐free flame retardants with reasonably high efficiency, which thus function at limited loadings in polypropylene‐based wood/plastic composites (WPC), is still a challenge. Cost‐effective flame‐retarded WPC have been identified as a way to open the door to an interesting, broader spectrum of application in the building and transportation sectors. This work imparts a systematic comprehensive understanding and assessment of different basic routes to halogen‐free flame‐retarded WPC, taking into account economic and environmental considerations. Cheap, halogen‐free single‐component flame retardants and their multicomponent systems are investigated at reasonable filling grades of 20 wt%. The basic routes of promising synergistic multicomponent systems are discussed, and their potential and limits assessed. Optimizing the consistency of fire residue; closing the surface of inorganic‐organic residual layers; the thermal stabilization and design of the residue, eg, synergistic combination of ammonium polyphosphate and expandable graphite; and the combination of different flame‐retardant mechanisms, eg, intumescence and flame inhibition, are proposed as promising routes to boost the flame‐retardant efficiency.     

可膨胀石墨阻燃体系在聚丙烯中的作用

采用可膨胀石墨(EG)为主阻燃剂,包裹红磷(MRP)为阻燃协效剂制备阻燃聚丙烯(PP)。在mEG∶mMRP≥2时,阻燃效果最佳。阻燃剂(FR)含量达到30%后,阻燃效果大幅度提高,氧指数大于28。采用热失重和流变学方法分析了炭层质量,探讨了在mEG∶mMRP≥2时,阻燃效率最高的原因。相容剂马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯(PP-g-MAH)能够改善阻燃剂和聚丙烯之间的相容性,提高粘结力,改善炭层质量,提高材料的氧指数,PP-g-MAH用量为30%时,材料的氧指数达到31.4。     

Enhanced thermal properties and flame retardancy of unsaturated polyester‐based hybrid materials containing phosphorus and silicon

A phosphorus and silicon containing liquid monomer (9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene 10‐oxide–vinyltrimethoxysilane (DOPO–VTS)) was synthesized by the reaction between DOPO and VTS. DOPO–VTS and methacryloxypropyltrimethoxylsilane were introduced into unsaturated polyester resin to prepare flame retardant UPR/SiO₂ (FR‐UPR/SiO₂) hybrid materials by sol–gel method and curing process. DOPO–VTS contributes excellent flame retardancy to UPR matrix, which was confirmed by the limiting oxygen index and microscale combustion calorimeter results. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate that the FR‐UPR/SiO₂ hybrid materials possess higher thermal stability and residual char yields than those of pure UPR at high temperature region. The thermal degradation of materials was investigated by TGA/infrared spectrometry (TG‐IR) and real‐time infrared spectrometry (RT‐IR), providing insight into the thermal degradation mechanism. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to explore the morphologies and chemical components of the residual char. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.