A renewable waste material for the synthesis of a novel non-halogenated flame retardant polymer

The recognition of toxicity and environmental persistence of halogenated flame retardant (FR) materials has prompted the reduction in their usage across the globe. There is an immediate need for new types of non-toxic and effective FR produced preferably through sustainable routes. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of a new polyphenolic FR material based on a renewable and biodegradable starting material, cardanol (a byproduct of cashew nut processing). Cardanol was polymerized in aqueous media using various types of oxidants. The thermal properties of the resulting polymers were investigated. Polycardanol synthesized using a specific type of oxidant exhibited good thermal stability and low heat release capacity. Preliminary results obtained from this study are quite promising and indicate the possibility of synthesizing new types of FR materials from bio-based phenols. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.