A Polymeric Flame Retardant and Surfactant-Free Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Preparation and Exfoliation Mechanism Discussion

A polymeric flame retardant (PDEPD) and various amounts of sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) nanocomposites with exfoliation structure were prepared via one-step polycondensation, attempting to prepare flame-retardant nanocomposites. The nanocomposites exhibited high thermal stability at high temperature. Based on several comparative studies, we investigated and proposed the possible exfoliation mechanism of Na-MMT in PDEPD substrate. The microscale combustion calorimeter and cone calorimeter results showed the PDEPD/Na-MMT nanocomposites could significantly improve the flame retardancy of polystyrene and polyurethane elastomer (TPU), especially the TPU matrix. This study provides new viewpoint for preparing flame-retardant nanocomposites without surfactants. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:167-173, 2014. (c) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers