Effect of nano cadmium sulfide on combustion and thermal decomposition of polystryene and poly(methyl methacrylate)

Cadmium sulfide nano particles, both hollow spheres (CdS‐HS) and rods (CdS‐NR), were synthesized by ultrasonic and solvothermal processes, respectively, and characterized by XRD and SEM. The effect of the two kinds of nano particles on flammability was investigated using the cone calorimeter and microscale combustion calorimeter. The incorporation of small amount of CdS nano particles (1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.%) leads to a reduction in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) compared to pristine PS; CdS‐NR is more efficient in reducing the PHRR. CdS nano particles are less effective in reducing the PHRR of PMMA. Thermal stability of PS/CdS and PMMA/CdS nanocomposites was studied by TGA. The TGA results show that the addition of the nano particles mainly increases thermal stability of PS and PMMA at high temperatures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.