Novel bio-derived phytic acid and melamine interlayered/surface dual modified layered double hydroxide by one-pot method and its highly efficient flame retardant performance for polypropylene

Abstract

In this paper, an interlayered/surface-modified flame retardant (LDHs@PA-MEL) was prepared via a one-pot method with phytic acid (PA), melamine (MEL), and layered double hydroxides (LDHs-C) and used as a novel flame retardant for polypropylene (PP). In LDHs@PA-MEL, PA and MEL self-assembled to form a PA-MEL supramolecular network for functionalization on the surface of LDHs-C, and phytate anions intercalated into the interlayer. The extreme dispersibility of LDHs@PA-MEL in PP is attributed to the dual modification of PA and MEL. With the addition of 20 wt%, the PP/LDHs@PA-MEL composites achieved the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 29.6%, whereas the PP/LDHs-C composites exhibited only LOI of 24.8%. The peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) for PP/LDHs@PA-MEL were 409 kW∙m−2, 70.3 MJ∙m−2, and 7.1 m2, respectively, which presented declines of 63.5%, 26.2% and 43.7% compared with those of Neat PP. The flame retardancy of LDHs@PA-MEL was mainly due to catalytic charring, release of non-combustible gases, and physical barrier effects. More specially, this work provides a feasible method for the preparation of high-performance PP composites.