Flame Retardant Polypropylene Nanocomposites Using a Variety of Nanofillers

Polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites reinforced with a variety of nanofillers such as transitional metal@metal oxide core-shell nanoparticles (NPs),^1,2magnetite NPs, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanosheets, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and silicon dioxide were prepared through in- or ex- situ solution based method for flame retardancy application. In order to improve the filler dispersion quality, polymer-filler interfacial bonding and the flame retardant efficiency, the filler surface functionalization/treatment and the addition of surfactant were integrated into the fabrication of PP nanocomposites. The filler surface modification and dispersion were investigated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The physicochemical properties of thus prepared nanocomposites including thermal stability, flammability, melting rheological behaviors were studied using thermogravimetric analysis, micro-scale combustion calorimetry, UL-94 vertical burning, and limiting oxygen index. The flame retardancy mechanism for each composition will be discussed in detail and the advantages as well as the disadvantages will also be compared.

References

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