Simultaneous Improvement of the Mechanical and Flame-Retardant Properties of a Composite Elastomer by a Biomimetic Modified Multilayer Graphene

Abstract

Based on the self-polymerization-adhesion behavior of dopamine, multilayer graphene (MLG) was biomimetically modified by polydopamine (PDA), which significantly improved the dispersibility and compatibility of the MLG. A flame-retardant composite elastomer was formed by adding the MLG-PDA and an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) into an ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer (EVM). This not only improved the flame-retardant properties, but also promoted the compatibility between the interfaces, thereby compensating for the damage caused by IFR to the mechanical properties of the composite elastomer. Compared with EVM/IFR (70/30), the tensile strength (12.3 MPa) and limited oxygen index (28.5) of the EVM/MLG-PDA/IFR (70/27/3) composite elastomer were increased by 33.7% and 10%, respectively. Cone calorimeter test results showed a synergistic flame-retardant effect between the MLG-PDA and IFR, which promoted the formation of a denser carbon layer. Therefore, the MLG modified by PDA can be added to flame-retardant polymers as an effective synergist of intumescent flame retardant systems.