Abstract
In this research, the influence of natural zeolites obtained from the volcanic ash of the Ubinas volcano has been studied as synergistic agents in a flame-retardant system (composed of ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, and polypropylene). Four zeolites were synthesized from volcanic ash, including those that had been calcined and those that had not. These were then placed in an alkaline solution at three synthesis temperatures. Zeolites were characterized through X-ray diffraction, specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption analysis (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) and scanning electron microscopy. Polypropylene matrix composites were prepared with ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol and zeolites at 1, 5 and 9%. Its thermal stability and fire resistance were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test and cone calorimeter and its morphological structure by scanning electron microscopy. It was determined that the synthesis temperature and the use of calcined and without calcined volcanic ash have an influence on the characteristics of the zeolites and on its synergistic action.
Highlights
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that is widely used for application in textiles and plastics due to its low cost and high chemical resistance in acidic and alkaline environments [1]
The polypropylene matrix was prepared with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER), which was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test (UL-94), and cone calorimeter
By Almirón et al [8], that volcanic ash from the Ubinas volcano, which was used as raw material for the synthesis of zeolites, has a pore size of 430.8 Å, a pore volume of 82.0 mm3 /g, a micropore area of 1.2 m2 /g and 2.06 m2 /g of SBET
Summary
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that is widely used for application in textiles and plastics due to its low cost and high chemical resistance in acidic and alkaline environments [1]. As synergistic agents for polypropylene matrix composites, an improvement in flame-retardant properties was obtained using natural zeolites; in other studies, volcanic ash, rice husk ash, and heat-treated solid waste were used [8]. The zeolite, volcanic ash and rice husk are characterized by having abundant silica and alumina in their composition, which is the reason why other authors have used volcanic ash and rice husk as a source of raw material to synthesize zeolites [10,11,12,13] These authors have carried out the synthesis of these natural zeolites, their flame-retardant activity has not been determined. Wang et al [15] used the zeolites type 4A and 13X like synergistic agents in cooperation with APP and the flame-retardant activity in wood-plastic composites improved. The polypropylene matrix was prepared with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER), which was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test (UL-94), and cone calorimeter
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