A new method to prepare flame retardant polymer composites

In water solution, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER) were designed to intercalate into the galleries of layered double hydroxide (LDH). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra show that APP and PER were successfully intercalated into the interlayer of LDH. Compared with conventional method to prepare polypropylene (PP)/APP/PER/LDH composite, the new routine can provide the composite with excellent optical and mechanical properties. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data indicate the thermal stability of the composite added by this new kind of LDH is close to that of the conventional PP/APP/PER/LDH composite by the melt mixture. Finally, the LOI values of new PP/APP/PER/LDH composite with the 30 wt% new kind of LDH are 31, and UL-94 test of it is measured up to V-1. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.