Synthesis of hydrophobic zinc borate nanoflakes and its effect on flame retardant properties of polyethylene

Zinc borate (2ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O) has relatively high dehydration on-set temperature which property permits processing in a wide range of polymer system. But zinc borate particles are hardly dispersed in a polymer matrix so that they prevent their using in industry. To address this problem, we synthesized hydrophobic zinc borate (2ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O) nanoflakes by employing solid-liquid reaction of zinc oxide (ZnO) and boric acid (H₃BO₃) in the presence of oleic acid. This method does not bring pollution. By conducting morphological and microscopic analyses, we found that this compound displayed nanoflake morphology with particle size of around 100-200 nm, thickness less than 100 nm and there were uniform mesopores with the diameter about 10 nm within the particles. Furthermore, our products had an effect on flame retardant of polyethylene, especially when the zinc borate was modified by oleic acid.     

Synthesis and thermochemistry of MgO·3B2O3·3.5H2O

A new magnesium borate MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₆O₉(OH)₂]·2.5H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of MgO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5595.02±4.85) kJ mol⁻¹ of MgO·3B₂O₃3.5H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

Synthesis, characterization, and thermochemistry of a new form of 2MgO·3B2O3·17H2O

A new magnesium borate, β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O, has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt and characterized by XRD, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as by TG. The structural formula of this compound was Mg[B₃O₃(OH)₅]·6H₂O. The enthalpy of solution of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(10256.39±4.93) kJ mol⁻¹ of β-2MgO·3B₂O₃·17H₂O was obtained. Thermodynamic properties of this compound was also calculated by group contribution method.     

Flame retardancy and smoke suppression of silicone foams with microcapsulated aluminum hypophosphite and zinc borate

The flame‐retardant microcapsules were successfully fabricated with an aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) core. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to verify that AHP was encapsulated in the microcapsules, and thermogravimetry analysis showed that microencapsulated AHP (MAHP) possessed higher thermal stability than that of AHP. Then, a flame‐retardant and smoke suppression system for silicone foams (SiFs) was obtained through a synergistic effect of MAHP and zinc borate (2ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O). The mechanical properties, flame retardance, and smoke suppression of SiFs with MAHP and zinc borate were tested using the tensile test, limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, UL‐94 test, and cone calorimeter test. The mechanical properties indicated that the tensile strength and elongation at break of SiFs could evidently improve with the incorporation of MAHP. Compared with pure SiF, SiF8 with 4.5‐wt% MAHP and 1.5‐wt% zinc borate could achieve an LOI value of 30.7 vol% and an UL‐94 V‐0 rating, the time to ignition amplified almost six times, the peak heat release rate and total heat release were 51.10% and 46.00% less than that of pure SiF, respectively, the fire performance index increased nearly 13 times, and the fire growth index value was only 13.18% of pure SiF. Moreover, the partial substitution of zinc borate imparted a substantial improvement in both flame retardancy and smoke suppression. Especially, the peak smoke production rate and total smoke production of SiF8 were merely 38.46% and 38.84% of pure SiF.     

非晶态镍硼酸盐结构的EXAFS研究

由摩尔比分别为1:2和1:8的NiCl₂·6H₂O和Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O作为反应物, 合成两种非晶态镍硼酸盐, 同时通过水热法合成β-Ni(OH)₂. 化学分析和热重-微商热重法(TG-DTG)分析结果确定两种非晶态镍硼酸盐的分子组成分别为NiO·0.8B₂O₃·4.5H₂O和NiO·B₂O₃·3H₂O. 激光拉曼(Raman)实验结果表明镍硼酸盐样品中主要存在的硼氧阴离子为B₃O₃(OH)₅^2-和B₂O(OH)₆^2-. 同步辐射扩展X射线吸收精细结构(EXAFS)方法对样品进行结构解析, 通过数据拟合给出样品中Ni 原子周围近邻配位原子种类、配位数以及原子间距离. 用不同晶体结构作为标准对两种非晶态镍硼酸盐进行拟合的结果表明, 样品中Ni 原子周围局域结构与Ni₃B₂O₆晶体(ICSD No.31387)中的吻合较好. Ni 原子周围配位原子为O、B和Ni, 对于NiO·0.8B₂O₃·4.5H₂O, 配位数分别为5.7、3.8和3.8, 配位距离分别为0.208、0.263 和0.311 nm; 对于NiO·B₂O₃·3H₂O, 配位数分别为6.0、4.0 和4.0, 配位距离分别为0.207、0.262和0.310 nm.     

Studies on synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of Mg2[B2O4(OH)2]·H2O

A new magnesium borate Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt at hydrothermal condition and characterized by XRD, IR, TG and DSC. The enthalpy of solution of Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O in 0.9764 mol L^–1 HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in HCl (aq), of MgO in (HCl+H₃BO₃) (aq), and the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of –(3185.78±1.91) kJ mol^–1 of Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O was obtained.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Role of oxygen on the optical properties of borate glass doped with ZnO

Lithium tungsten borate glass (0.56−x)B₂O₃–0.4Li₂O–xZnO–0.04WO₃ (0≤x≤0.1 mol%) is prepared by the melt quenching technique for photonic applications. Small relative values of ZnO are used to improve the glass optical dispersion and to probe as well the role of oxygen electronic polarizability on its optical characteristics. The spectroscopic properties of the glass are determined in a wide spectrum range (200–2500 nm) using a Fresnel-based spectrophotometric technique. Based on the Lorentz–Lorenz theory, as ZnO content increases on the expense of B₂O₃ the glass molar polarizability increased due to an enhanced unshared oxide ion 2p electron density, which increases ionicity of the chemical bonds of glass. The role of oxide ion polarizability is explained in accordance with advanced measures and theories such as optical basicity, O 1s binding energy, the outer most cation binding energy in Yamashita–Kurosawa's interionic interaction parameter and Sun's average single bond strength. FT-IR measurements confirm an increase in bridging oxygen bonds, as a result of replacement of ZnO by B₂O₃, which increase the UV glass transmission window and transmittance.     

(Solid+Liquid) Equilibria in the Quaternary System Na2B4O7-MgB4O7-K2B4O7-H2O at 288 K

(Solid+Liquid) phase equilibria in the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K were studied experimentally using the method of isothermal solution saturation. Solubility of any single salt in the solution of the quaternary system was determined experimentally. Based on the experimental data achieved, the phase diagram and water content diagram of the quaternary system were constructed, respectively. In the phase equilibrium diagram of the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K, there are one invariant point E, three univariant curves E1E, E2E and E3E, and three fields of crystallization corresponding to Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O and MgB₄O₇·9H₂O. The experimental results show that potassium borate (K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O) have higher solubilities than the magnesium borate and sodium borate in the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K.     

New synthetic method and thermochemistry of szaibelyite

A new synthetic method of szaibelyite (2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O) has been reported. The enthalpy of solution of 2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O in 2.9842 mol dm⁻³ HCl (aq) was determined. From a combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in 2.9842 mol dm⁻³ HCl (aq) and of MgO in (HCl+H₃BO₃) solution, together with the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO (s), H₃BO₃ (s), and H₂O (l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(2884.36±1.82) kJ mol⁻¹ of 2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O was obtained.     

Preparation of 2MgO·B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>·1.5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O nanomaterials and evaluation of their flame retardant properties by a thermal decomposition kinetic method

Two morphologies of magnesium borate 2MgO·B₂O₃·1.5H₂O, nanorod and nanowire, have been controllably prepared by hydrothermal method through changing the amount of H₂O. All samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TG and chemical analysis. Their flame retardant properties were investigated by thermal analysis method (including TG, DSC and non-isothermal decomposition kinetics) and oxygen index method. With the decrease in TG mass loss, the decrease in heat release for DSC, the increase in LOI values and the increase in apparent activation energy E _a, the flame retardant properties of prepared 2MgO·B₂O₃·1.5H₂O samples are increased gradually from non-nanostructure to nanorods then to nanowires, which may be ascribed to their sizes being decreased accordingly. The possible flame retarding mechanism has been proposed. It can be predicted that 2MgO·B₂O₃·1.5H₂O nanowire could serve as a potential flame retardant.     

Effect of surfactant types on particle size and morphology of flame-retardant zinc borate powder

Zinc borate is a boron-containing chemical material that is used to increase the flame retardancy of polymeric materials, dyes, cables, fabrics, carpets, and the internal parts of automobiles and planes. Commercially used zinc borate, which has the formula of 2ZnO·3B ₂ O ₃ ·7H ₂ O, has a particle size between 10 and 20 μm. However, recent studies have shown that nanosized flame retardants have more superior flame retardancy and less negative effects on mechanical properties than microsized flame retardants. Nanosized flame retardants disperse more homogeneously and even low quantities are sufficient to provide high flame resistance. In this study, nano zinc borate powder was synthesized by a wet chemical method and the effects of nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants on the particle size and morphology of the zinc borate particles were investigated. Chemical purity and physical structures of the synthesized zinc borate powder were analyzed by XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, TEM, and Zetasizer. The analysis results showed that the zinc borate powder had a chemical formula of 2ZnO·3B ₂ O ₃ ·7H ₂ O. TEM and Zetasizer results indicated that the nano zinc borate powder, which had nanoscale particle size distribution with needle- and flake-like structures, was synthesized using nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Thermochemistry of 2MgO：B2O3：1.5H2O

Introduction　　 2MgO·B2 O3(Mg2 B2 O5)and 2MgO·B2 O3·H2 Omightbepreparedaswhiskermaterials .12MgO·B2 O3·H2 OnamedszaibelyiteisamagnesiumboratemineralwithastructuralformulaofMg2 [B2 O4 (OH) 2 ].2 Itisdifficulttosynthesizethiscompoundinthelaboratory .Recently ,weobtainedasimilarcompound 2MgO·B2 O3·1 5H2 Owhenwetriedtopreparewhiskerof 2MgO·B2 O3·H2 Obythephasetransformationof 2MgO·2B2 O3·MgCl2 ·14H2 OinH3BO3solutionunderhydrothermalcondition .Itishope fultopreparewh…     

Synergistic flame‐retardant effect and mechanisms of boron/phosphorus compounds on epoxy resins

To explore the component synergistic effect of boron/phosphorus compounds in epoxy resin (EP), 3 typical boron compounds, zinc borate (ZB), boron phosphate (BPO₄), and boron oxide (B₂O₃), blended with phosphaphenanthrene compound TAD were incorporated into EP, respectively. All 3 boron/phosphorus compound systems inhibited heat release and increased residue yields and exerted smoke suppression effect. Among 3 boron/phosphorus compound systems, B₂O₃/TAD system brought best flame‐retardant effect to epoxy thermosets in improving the UL94 classification of EP composites and also reducing heat release most efficiently during combustion. B₂O₃ can interact with epoxy matrix and enhance the charring quantity and quality, resulting in obvious condensed‐phase flame‐retardant effect. The combination of condensed‐phase flame‐retardant effect from B₂O₃ and the gaseous‐phase flame‐retardant effect from TAD effectively optimized the action distribution between gaseous and condensed phases. Therefore, B₂O₃/TAD system generated component synergistic flame‐retardant effect in epoxy thermosets.     

Testing the retardancy effect of various inorganic chemicals on smoldering combustion of Pinus halepensis needles

The fire retarding performance of 28 different inorganic chemical substances was tested by measuring the relative particle fire hazard properties of Pinus halepensis needles treated with these chemicals. The tests were performed using a new method, based on a specifically designed apparatus for monitoring the forest species temperature, under precisely controlled temperature and static air atmosphere conditions. The relative ignition and smoldering combustion properties determined were: the ignition delay time, the combustion rate, the heat content and the mass residue of forest samples. The key elements for the effectiveness of fire retardants were the delay of ignition and the reduction of heat and combustion rate. The chemicals examined were: Cu, Fe, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂·H₂O, NaHCO₃, KI, KBr, KCl, NaCl, CaCO₃, MnSO₄·5H₂O, CuSO₄·5H₂O, MgCl₂·6H₂O, Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, Na₂HPO₄, Na₂CO₃, Na₂SiO₃, ZnSO₄·7H₂O, Zn₃(PO₄)₂·2H₂O, NH₄Br, NH₄Cl, NH₄HCO₃, (NH₄)₂CO₃, NH₄H₂PO₄ (MAP), (NH₄)₂SO₄ (AS), (NH₄)₂HPO₄ (DAP) and a commercial retardant containing both DAP and AS. Among them the best performance was exhibited by ammoniac phosphates, followed by ammoniac sulfates and silica.     

Chemistry of borate in salt lake brine (XXXIV)

The crystallization processes of hydrated Mg-borates, boric, magnesium hydroxide and Mg-oxychloride from MgO-B₂O₃-18%MgCl₂-H₂O supersaturated solution at 20°C have been studied by kinetic method. The crystallization solid phases were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectra, thermal analysis and chemical analysis. The liquid-solid phase diagram of thermodynamic nonequilibrium state has been given. In this phase diagram, there exist eight crystallization fields, boric acid(H₃BO₃), trigomagneborite(MgO · 3B₂O₃ · 7.5H₂O, MgO · 3B₂O₃ · 7H₂O), hungchaoite(MgO · 2B₂O₃ · 9H₂O), inderite(2MgO · 3B₂O₃ · 15H₂O), chloropinnoite(2MgO · 2B₂O₃ · MgCl₂ · 14H₂O), magnesium hydroxide(Mg(OH)₂) and magnesium oxychloride (5Mg(OH)₂ · MgCl₂ · 8H₂O).     

K2B4O7-Na2B4O7-Li2B4O7-H2O 四元体系15℃介稳相平衡研究

采用等温蒸发平衡法研究了四元体系K2B4O7-Na2B4O7-Li2B4O7-H2O15℃时的介稳相平衡及平衡液相的物化性质(密度,粘度,电导率,折光率,pH)。根据实验数据绘制了相图,相图中有一个共饱点E,三条单变度曲线E3F,E2F,E1F;三个平衡固相分别为：K2B4O7•4H2O,Na2B4O7•10H2O和Li2B2O4•16H2O;硼酸钾具有最大溶解度,硼酸钠具有最小溶解度。同时,根据试验数据绘制了组成－物化性质关系图,从图可见溶液的密度,粘度和折光率均随着溶液浓度的增大而逐渐增大,在共饱和点F处达到最大值,而溶液的pH值和电导率却随着溶液浓度的增大呈总体下降的趋势。     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of Ca2[B2O4(OH)2]·0.5H2O

A pure calcium borate Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by XRD, FT-IR and TG as well as by chemical analysis. The molar enthalpy of solution of Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O in HC1·54.582H₂O was determined. From a combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in HC1·54.561H₂O and of CaO in (HCl + H₃BO₃) solution, together with the standard molar enthalpies of formation of CaO(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(3172.5 ± 2.5) kJ mol⁻¹ of Ca₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·0.5H₂O was obtained.     

Preparation of 2CaO·3B2O3·H2O nanomaterials and evaluation of their flame retardant properties by a thermal analysis method

Different morphologies of calcium borate 2CaO·3B₂O₃·H₂O, nanoribbon, bundle-like nanostructure and fan-shaped non-nanostructure, have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions, which were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TGA and SEM. Their flame retardant properties to the polypropylene were investigated by thermal analysis method (including TG, DSC and non-isothermal decomposition kinetics) and oxygen index method. With the decrease in TG mass loss, the increase in heat absorption for DSC in N₂ atmosphere, the increase in LOI values, and the increase in apparent activation energy E_a, the flame retardant properties of prepared 2CaO·3B₂O₃·H₂O samples increased gradually from non-nanostructure to bundle-like nanostructure and then to nanoribbon. This trend may be ascribed to their sizes being decreased accordingly. The flame retarding mechanism has been proposed. The mechanical property of polypropylene/2CaO·3B₂O₃·H₂O composite material has also been evaluated. It can be predicted that 2CaO·3B₂O₃·H₂O nanoribbon could serve as an excellent flame retardant.

     

Na6B13O22.5, a new noncentrosymmetric sodium borate

Na₆B₁₃O_22.5 (B/Na=2.17) single crystals were obtained by heating, melting and appropriately cooling borax, Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·8H₂O. Its formula has been determined by the resolution of the structure from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric orthorhombic Iba2 space group, with the following unit cell parameters: a=33.359(11) Å, b=9.554(3) Å, c=10.644(4) Å; V=3392.4(19) Å³; Z=8. The crystal structure was solved from 3226 reflections until R₁=0.0385. It exhibits a three-dimensional framework built up from BO₃ triangles (Δ) and BO₄ tetrahedra (T). Two kinds of borate groups can be considered forming two different double B₃O₃ rings: two B₄O₉ (linkage by two boron atoms) and one B₅O₁₁ (linkage by one boron atom); the shorthand notation of the new fundamental building block (FBB) existing in this compound is: 13: ∞³ [(5: 3Δ+2T)+2(4: 2Δ+2T)]. The discovery of this new borate questions the real number of Na₂B₄O₇ varieties. The existence of Na₆B₁₃O_22.5 (B/Na=2.17) and of another recently discovered borate, Na₃B₇O₁₂ (B/Na=2.33; FBB 7: ∞³ [(3: 2Δ+T)+(3: Δ+2T)+(1: Δ)], with a composition close to the long-known borate α-Na₂B₄O₇ (B/Na=2; FBB 8: ∞³ [(5: 3Δ+2T)+(3: 2Δ+T)], may explain the very complex equilibria reported in the Na₂O-B₂O₃ phase diagram, especially in this range of composition.