Analysis of flame retardant additives in polymer fractions of waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) by means of HPLC-UV/MS and GPC-HPLC-UV

An HPLC-UV/MS method has been developed to identify and quantify flame retardants in post-consumer plastics from waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE). Atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation spectra of 15 brominated and phosphate-based flame retardants were recorded and interpreted. The method was applied to detect flame retardant additives in polymer extracts obtained from pressurised liquid extraction of solid polymers. In addition, a screening method was developed for soluble styrene polymers to isolate a flame retardant fraction through the application of gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This fraction was transferred to an online-coupled HPLC column and detected by UV spectroscopy, which allowed a reliable qualitative and quantitative analysis of brominated flame retardants in the polymer solutions.     

Combustion and thermal properties of paper honeycomb

The honeycomb structure has superior compressive strength so that it is being utilized in various fields. In addition, the paper honeycomb has excellent economic feasibility because of its low production cost and has an environment-friendly advantage because its recycling is possible. Securing of flame retardant performance is essential to use it as interior materials of buildings and fireproof doors using the advantage like this. The present research has evaluated combustion and thermal properties according to flame retardant treatment in terms of two kinds of specimens when flame retardant film is attached to paper honeycomb, and when paper honeycomb is impregnated to flame retardant agents. As a result of evaluating flame retardant performance utilizing a cone calorimeter, the case impregnated into flame retardant agents showed the most superior flame retardant performance. Through this result, it was confirmed that the paper honeycomb can be utilized as interior materials of buildings though improvement of flame retardant performance.     

协效阻燃聚丙烯的阻燃性能

本文研究了以聚磷酸铵(APP)为主阻燃剂,次磷酸铝(AHP)和三聚氰胺氰尿酸盐(MCA)为辅阻燃剂的协效阻燃体系对聚丙烯(PP)阻燃性能的影响。 采用垂直燃烧测试、极限氧指数(LOI)测试、热重分析、锥形量热仪测试、扫描电子显微镜分析等技术手段对所制备的阻燃样品进行了阻燃性能分析。 结果表明:单独添加任一质量分数30%阻燃剂,均不能使PP获得良好的阻燃性能;当阻燃剂总质量分数保持在30%,m(APP)：m(AHP)：m(MCA)=4：1：1时获得理想阻燃效果,此时阻燃PP的LOI为33%,垂直燃烧测试达到V-0级,热释放速率峰值(PHRR)从765.7 kW/m²降为122.7 kW/m²。     

Azoalkanes—novel flame retardants and their structure–property relationship

A number of symmetrical and unsymmetrical azoalkanes of the general formula R′?N = N?R and related azoxy, hydrazone as well as azine derivatives have been synthesized in order to assess their potential as novel flame retardants for polypropylene alone or in combination with commercially available flame retardants such as alumina trihydrate (ATH), decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) and tris(3‐bromo‐2,2‐bis(bromomethyl)‐propyl)phosphate (TBBPP). The experimental results show that in the series of different sized azocycloalkanes the flame retardant efficacy decreased in the following order: R = cyclohexyl > cyclopentyl > cyclobutyl > cyclooctanyl >> cyclododecanyl. Whereas in the series of aliphatic azoalkanes compounds the efficacy decreased in the following order: R = n‐alkyl > tert‐butyl > tert‐octyl. In addition, also some of the prepared azoxy, azine, and hydrazone derivatives provide flame retardancy to polypropylene films at already very low concentrations (0.25–1 wt%). Noteworthy is that in contrast to other halogen‐free radical generators, the azoalkanes are also very effective as flame retardants in polypropylene thick moldings. Interestingly, it was found that 4,4′‐bis(cyclohexylazocyclohexyl)‐methane) shows a strong synergistic effect with ATH. Thus, in the presence of 0.5 wt% of azoalkane the ATH loading could be reduced from 60 to 25 wt% and still UL94 V‐2 rating could be reached. Furthermore, the fire testing data reveal that azoalkanes show a synergistic effect with DecaBDE and when used in conjunction with very low loadings of TBBPP. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

微纳米钙钛矿型羟基锡酸钙的合成及对环氧树脂的阻燃性能

钙钛矿型羟基锡酸盐是近年来出现的新型高效阻燃消烟剂. 本文采用化学共沉淀法合成了微纳米钙钛矿型羟基锡酸钙[CaSn(OH)₆, CSH], 并利用扫描电子显微镜、 透射电子显微镜、 X射线衍射仪、 红外光谱仪和X射线光电子能谱仪等对其形貌和结构进行表征. 结果表明合成的CaSn(OH)₆为平均粒径500 nm的纯净正六面体, 粒径均一且分散性良好. 将CaSn(OH)₆应用于环氧树脂(EP)复合阻燃体系(CSH/EP), 并分别采用热重分析、 极限氧指数和锥形量热测试表征了其热降解行为和燃烧性能. 采用扫描电子显微镜、 红外光谱、 X射线衍射和拉曼光谱对EP复合材料的阻燃成炭机制进行探索. 结果表明, CaSn(OH)₆能显著提高EP复合材料的高温稳定性、 热释放速率、 热释放量、 烟释放量和极限氧指数数值. 特别是在很低添加量(0.5%, 质量分数)下, 阻燃消烟性能即得到极大提升, 热释放速率、 总放热量和一氧化碳释放量分别降低45.8%, 25.1%和31.3%. 此外, 由于CaSn(OH)₆在EP基体中的良好分散及较强的界面作用, CaSn(OH)₆在提升EP复合材料阻燃消烟性的同时还提升了EP复合材料的力学强度. 本文合成的CaSn(OH)₆可作为一种多功能的高效阻燃、 消烟和增强剂.     

Flame Retardancy and Kinetic Behavior of Ammonium Polyphosphate–Treated Unsaturated Polyester/Phenolic Interpenetrating Polymer Network

In this study, the flammability and kinetic behavior of flame retardant unsaturated polyester (UP)/phenolic resin were investigated. The flame retardant ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was used in this research to improve the flame resistance of a UP/phenolic resin interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). The flame resistance of UP improved from none to V-0 classification by adding phenolic resin and APP. Kinetic behavior study of UP, UP/phenolic, and APP-filled UP/phenolic IPN was carried out by the Borchardt and Daniels method. The results indicated that modification of flammable UP resin markedly improved the total heat release volume of UP and the flame retardancy of the IPN network structure was also enhanced.     

Novel nanocomposites based on epoxy resin and modified magnesium hydroxide: Focus on flame retardancy and mechanical properties

In this work, a novel multifunctional organic‐inorganic hybrid flame agent (AM‐MEL) was prepared from magnesium hydroxide nanosheets decorated by nitrilotrimethylene triphosphonic acid and melamine. Then, an intrinsic flame‐retardant epoxy resin (EP) was prepared by covalently incorporating AM‐MEL nanoparticles. Meanwhile, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was added into EP to form an intumescent flame retardant system with AM‐MEL. The chemical structure of AM‐MEL was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. With the incorporation of 5 wt% AM‐MEL and 15 wt% APP, EP/AM‐MEL/APP could reach a limiting oxygen index value of 32.0% and achieve UL‐94 V‐0 rating, along with 88.0%, 70.0%, 81.5%, and 87.3% decrease in the peak heat release rate, total heat release, total smoke production, and the peak CO production rate, respectively, with respect to that of pure EP. The mechanisms of its flame retardant and smoke suppression were investigated.     

Nanocomposites and Blends of Biocatalytically Synthesized Organosilicone Co-Polymers for Flame Retardant Applications

The great synthetic flexibility of organosilicone polymers, their ease of processing, low cost, and nontoxic nature present an attractive alternative solution over current flame retardant materials. Novozyme-435 catalyzed amidation reaction with silicone-based oligomer was carried out to scale up the synthesis of co-polymer which was fully characterized from its detailed spectroscopic studies. Synthesized co-polymer was compounded in polyolefins for flame retardant applications. Nanoclay [Cloisite 20A, 2C₁₈ MMT (dimethylditallowammonium-/dimethyldioctadecylammonium-modified montmorillonite)] was used as a potential additive in co-polymer, which was then blended with polyolefins to improve their thermal as well as flame retardant properties. The present work provides an initial exciting basis for the enzymatic synthesis of silicon based co-polymers in bulk and their flame retardant applications.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Investigation and DFT Calculations on the Decabromodiphenyl Ether

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), the major congener in the high volume industrial flame retardant mixture "DecaBDE", has become a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. In the present work, combined experimental and theoretical studies have been undertaken on the structure and vibrational spectra of BDE-209. The FT-IR (400-4000 cm-1) and FT-Raman spectra (100-4000 cm-1) of BDE-209 were recorded, while density functional B3LYP calculations were employed in conjunction with the 6-31G(d) basis set for investigating the corresponding geometric structure and vibrational spectroscopic properties. Besides, the detailed interpretations of fundamental vibrations were performed on the basis of experimental results and potential energy distribution (PED) of the vibrational modes. Optimized structures of the title compound were interpreted and compared with the earlier reported experimental values, which yield good agreement. Finally, the measured and calculated harmonic vibrational wavenumbers were compared with each other, and they were found to be in good accordance.     

聚对苯二甲酸丙二醇酯的无卤阻燃化改性

聚对苯二甲酸丙二醇酯作为新型聚酯材料,具有非常优良的性能,但其易燃性很大的限制了它的应用范围。为了提高对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯的阻燃性能,本文以无卤膨胀型EPFR-300A为阻燃改性剂,马来酸酐接枝聚烯烃(POE-g-MAH)弹性体为增韧剂,对聚对苯二甲酸丙二醇酯树脂(PTT)进行阻燃改性。通过热重分析仪(TGA)、示差扫描量热仪(DSC)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、力学性能等技术手段研究了阻燃剂和增韧剂对PTT树脂力学、热学和阻燃性能的影响。结果表明,增韧剂POE和POE-g-MAH的添加提高了PTT树脂的综合力学性能。当质量分数相同时,POE-g-MAH对PTT树脂的增韧效果要优于POE,且当POE-g-MAH质量分数为7%时,综合力学性能最佳。当添加相同质量分数增韧剂,EPFR-300A质量分数达到20%时,阻燃PTT材料阻燃性能最佳,极限氧指数(LOI)达到28.0%,垂直燃烧阻燃等级达到UL94 V-0级。EPFR-300A阻燃剂与PTT树脂间相容性良好,可以有效地促进PTT树脂成炭并提高材料的阻燃性能。     

Thermal stability of food additives of glutamate and benzoate type

Summary An unsaturated polyester/sisal flame retardant composite was formulated using decabromine diphenyl oxide associated with antimony trioxide as additives. The development and use of natural or vegetable fiber reinforced composites is increasing worldwide, since natural fibers come from renewable sources and their use contributes to the so-called 'green technology'. In the present study, the synergic effect of a bromine/antimony (3:1 molar ratio) based flame retardant system with 7.5% Br (mass/mass) added to composites investigated by TG, UL-94V and pyrolysis on a coupled Pyr-GC/MS device. The efficiency of the flame retardant system is confirmed by TG and UL-94V test where the composite containig flame retardant system obtained the highest classification (V-0).     

Flame retardancy and thermal degradation of halogen-free flame-retardant biobased polyurethane composites based on ammonium polyphosphate and aluminium hypophosphite

In this work, based on castor oil (CO), flame retardant polyurethane sealants (FRPUS) with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) were prepared. The synergistic flame retardant effects between APP and AHP on flame retardancy, thermal stability, and flame retardant mechanisms of FRPUS were investigated. It was found that when the mass ratio of APP and AHP was 5:1, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of FRPUS increased to 35.1%, In addition, at this ratio, the parameters from cone calorimeter testing (CCT) were reduced; these parameters include peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), smoke production rate (SPR) and total smoke production (TSP). The thermal decomposition behavior of the FRPUS was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that AHP improved the thermal stability of the PUS/APP system and increased char residue at high temperatures. Moreover, the residual carbon was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM), gas phase pyrolysis products were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry (TG-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis/mass spectrometry (TG-MS). It was observed that the flame retardant mechanisms of the APP/AHP system was the combination of gas and condensed phase flame retardant mechanisms.     

Construction of crosslinking network structures by adding ZnO and ADR in intumescent flame retardant PLA composites

Different proportion of nano zinc oxide (nano ZnO) and chain extender (ADR) were combined with the intumescent flame retardant and then added into the PLA matrix. The thermal stability, flame retardant performance, and mechanical properties were studied. The gel content results showed that crosslinking structures were obtained after the addition of nano ZnO and ADR, which were generated by the catalytic chain scission effect of nano ZnO and chain extension effect of ADR. With addition of 1% nano ZnO and 1.6% ADR, the gel content of flame retardant PLA composite reached the highest value (14.2%). Meanwhile, the corresponding flame retardant PLA composite with 1% nano ZnO and 1.6% ADR, named FRPLA/ZnO/ADR-1, exhibited an overall improved properties including the flame retardant properties and mechanical performance, which passed the UL94 V-0 level with a limiting oxygen index value of 40.1%. Compared to FRPLA (flame retardant PLA without ZnO and ADR), the peak heat release rate and the total smoke production of FRPLA/ZnO/ADR-1were reduced by 60% and 67% respectively, and the final mass improved from 12% to 38%. In addition, the tensile strength and elongation at break of FRPLA/ZnO/ADR-1 increased by 25%, 14% compared with that of FRPLA. The impact strength was 15.1 kJ/m², which is similar to the pure PLA (15.6 kJ/m²). It indicated that the addition of nano ZnO and ADR could balance the flame retardant performance and the mechanical properties of the flame retardant PLA.     

石墨烯在聚合物阻燃材料中的应用及作用机理

本文从聚合物基底的阻燃复合材料类别角度出发,详细介绍了石墨烯在不同种类聚合物阻燃材料中的应用现状与作用机理。 包括有:石墨烯/聚乙烯、石墨烯/聚丙烯、石墨烯/聚苯乙烯、石墨烯/环氧树脂、石墨烯/聚氨酯、石墨烯/聚乙烯醇等多种石墨烯/聚合物复合阻燃材料。 同时还介绍了石墨烯基材料在其中所发挥的作用,该综述为发展出新型的石墨烯基/聚合物复合阻燃材料提供了很好的理论支持。     

阻燃及可瓷化硅橡胶成炭结构的研究进展

简单介绍了硅橡胶的阻燃和瓷化机理。依据阻燃剂、填料及炭层结构的不同,将硅橡胶分为阻燃和可瓷化两大类.综述了阻燃硅橡胶和可瓷化硅橡胶的阻燃性能和成炭结构的研究进展。分析表明:添加物理或化学膨胀型阻燃剂的硅橡胶,燃烧过程中形成的炭层疏松多孔,阻燃隔热性能优异,但炭层强度差;添加非膨胀型阻燃剂的硅橡胶,炭层结构相对密实,但表面不平整,存在孔洞和裂缝,阻燃效果不好;添加可瓷化填料的硅橡胶燃烧形成的陶瓷炭层坚硬而致密,具有优异的耐火持久性,但在隔绝热量方面不如膨胀炭层。炭层的疏松隔热与坚固耐久兼顾是阻燃硅橡胶未来可能的发展方向。     

Combination effect of nanoparticles with flame retardants on the flammability of nanocomposites

Polystyrene based nanocomposites (PNCs) with and without flame retardant additives were successfully prepared through a single-screw extrusion technique. The combination effect of nanoparticles and flame retardants was investigated with nanosilica and attapulgite clay as nanofillers, and with a NASA formulated SINK flame retardant. A comprehensive study was done by Cone Calorimetry, UL94 and TGA.The addition of nanoparticles to polystyrene generally improved the OI of polystyrene. The horizontal burning tests suggested that nanofiller types have different impacts on the flammability of nanocomposites. According to the vertical burning tests and oxygen indices, it was found that polystyrene/silica and polystyrene/attapulgite clay PNCs alone are not flame retardant. In fact, the materials burned faster. However, the combination of nanocomposites with the SINK flame retardant significantly altered the thermal stability, and flammability of the materials. A remarkable reduction in heat release rates of polystyrene was achieved for both silica and attapulgite with flame retardant nanocomposites. For instance, the introduction of 20% SINK into PS reduced the PHRR of PS from 1212 to 838 (−31%); 10% silica reduced it from 1212 to 1060 (−13%), while the combination of silica and SINK reduced it to 530 (−56%), which clearly shows interaction between nanosilica and SINK.     

Halogen Free Flame Retardant Agents for Polypropylene in Wire Coating Process

the processing behaviour and physical properties of polypropylene/flame retardant blends were investigated in order to evaluate their use in the wire-coating process. In particular, the need of flame retardancy, suitable melt processability and good mechanical properties of blends was taken into account. Three types of halogen free flame retardants were chosen and were melt blended to the polypropylene matrix. Blends properties were analysed by rheological, mechanical, and thermal characterization including flame retardancy tests. The wire coating process was also performed by a laboratory wire coating apparatus. The results demonstrated that some of the blends are suitable for the purpose of flame retardancy of electrical household wires as an alternative to PVC.     

A New Nano‐Structured Flame‐Retardant Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

A modified nano‐hydrotalcite was used as inorganic flame‐retardant fillers for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymers. A flame‐retardant compound was obtained from layered hydrotalcite (LDH) dispersed in brominated polystyrene (PBS) solution and then solvent evaporation from the dissolved PBS samples. The compound of PBS/LDH was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and was found to have high aspect ratio LDH dispersed in the PBS matrix. Flame‐retardant PET composite was prepared by melt‐compounding the flame‐retardant compound of PBS/LDH and PET. Improvement in the fire retardancy of the nano‐flame‐retardant PET composite obtained was found by measuring the oxygen index. The nanostructure of flame‐retardant PET composite was chirecterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of flame‐retardant PET composite. The mechanical properties of the flame‐retardant PET nano‐composite were also characterized.     

Preparation of Intumescent Flame Retardant Polypropylene composite through Solid State Mechanochemical Method

Polypropylene (PP), with characteristics of good mechanical properties, good resistance to water and low cost, has been widely used in many fields such as building, transport, furniture and electrical industries. However, a fateful drawback of polypropylene is its high flammability,restricting its wider applications. Addition of flame retardants is an effective way to improve its flame retardancy. An effective halogen-free flame retardant system used is the mixture of melamine, ammounium phosphate and pentaerythritol (intumescent flame retardant). But how to enhance the dispersion of this mixture in polypropylene matrix is a big problem. A self-made mechanochemical reactor, pan type milling equipment, can exert strong shear and squeeze forces,and has good mixing function. As a result, a uniform dispersion of flame retardants in the polymer matrix can be expectably obtained by using this equipment.In this paper, flame-retarded Polypropylene (PP) composites with intumescent flame retardant (IFR) were prepared via solid state mechanochemical method (pan-mill) and conventional method (twin-roll masticator) respectively. Particle diameter analysis, melt flow index (MFI), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize these composites, and the mechanical properties and flame retardancy were also determined. The experimental results showed that the blend of PP and IFR were effectively pulverized from 3～4 mm to less than 300i m under the strong shear forces of pan-mill. With increasing the milling cycles, the MFI value of IFR/PP blend decreased first and then increased. The mechanical properties and flame retardancy of IFR/PP blends prepared by solid state mechanochemical method were proved to be better than those prepared by conventional method because of the dispersing function of pan-mill.Also it was found that IFRs were the nucleating agent for PP and the crystallinity of PP increased first and then decreased with increasing the milling cycles.     

Ternary structure design based on hydrogen bonding for transparent and flame retardant PMMA with good mechanical properties

The synthesis of intrinsic flame retardant copolymer by copolymerization with reactive flame retardants is the most potential method to prepare transparent and flame retardant poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at present,but the main challenge of this method is that the copolymer usually has poor mechanical properties and heat resistance. In this work, the hydrogen bond enhancement strategy is adopted, and the flame retardant PMMA with excellent comprehensive properties is obtained by ternary copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) as matrix unit, diethyl (methacryloyloxymethyl) phosphonate (DEP) as flame retardant unit and methacrylamide (MAA) as hydrogen bond unit. Due to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bond via MAA unit, the storage modulus, flexural strength and impact strength of the terpolymer containing 15 mol% MAA are 48%, 19%, and 24% higher than those of the copolymer of MMA and DEP, and its hardness, glass transition temperature and load thermal deformation temperature (increased by 7°C) are also superior. Moreover, owing to the gas-phase dilution and charring flame retardancy of MAA unit, the terpolymer shows increased limiting oxygen index (24.3%) and UL94 rating (V-1). This work not only provides a promising flame retardant PMMA for practical application, but also offers a new strategy to design flame retardant polymers with good mechanical properties.