Microencapsulation of decabromodiphenyl ether by in situ polymerization: Preparation and characterization

Melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin microcapsules containing decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPO) with better thermal stability were successfully prepared by in situ polymerization, DBDPO being the core material and MF resins being the wall materials. Chemical structure of the prepared microcapsules was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Morphologies and thermal properties were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The results indicated that MF microcapsules with DBDPO particles prepared in this study showed better thermal stability, and could be used as effective flame retardant even for the resins which should be processed at temperatures higher than 350 °C.