The preparation of a composite flame retardant of layered double hydroxides and α-zirconium phosphate and its modification for epoxy resin

Abstract

MFLDH/α-ZrP(U), a composite of MgFe layered double hydroxide (MFLDH) and α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) was prepared by stripping-recombination process under ultrasonication, in order to integrate their excellent physical and chemical functionalities. SEM results depicted that, due to the electrostatic potential difference between the laminates of MFLDH and α-ZrP, the stripped MFLDH and α-ZrP nanosheets adhere tightly to form a homogeneous layered structure. Subsequently, MFLDH/α-ZrP(U) was incorporated into epoxy resin (EP) at a rate of 3 wt% to prepare specimens for investigation of their flame retardancy and mechanical property. Compared to the blank sample, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) could be reduced by 39.1%, the total heat release (THR) could be reduced by 17.0%, the peak CO production rate (PCOPR) and total smoke release (TSR) could be significantly decreased by 42.1% and 33.9%, respectively. In addition, the mechanical experiments showed that the impaired mechanical property of EP caused by the addition of MFLDH can be effectively compensated by the addition of α-ZrP component.