Synergistic effects between silicon-containing flame retardant and potassium-4-(phenylsulfonyl)benzenesulfonate (KSS) on flame retardancy and thermal degradation of PC

A novel flame retardant (PSiN), containing silicon and nitrogen, was synthesized using N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane (KH-602) and diphenylsilanediol through solution polycondesation and it was used together with potassium-4-(phenylsulfonyl)benzenesulfonate (KSS) to prepare a flame-retardant system for polycarbonate (PC). The structure and thermal property of PSiN were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹HNMR and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) tests. Flammability and thermal behaviors of PC/KSS/PSiN systems were estimated by limited oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter, vertical burning test (UL-94), and TG tests. The results showed that the flame retardancy and char residues of PC/KSS system were improved with the addition of PSiN. When 1 mass% PSiN and 0.5 mass% KSS were incorporated, the LOI value of PC was found to be 46, and class V-0 of the UL-94 test. Moreover, both the heat release rate and the total heat release of PC/KSS/1 mass% PSiN decreased compared with those of PC and PC/KSS systems. The microstructures observed by scanning electron microscopy and FTIR indicated that the surface of the char for PC/KSS/PSiN system hold a more cohesive and denser char structure when compared with the pure PC and PC/KSS system.