Construction of thermoplastic cellulose esters matrix composites with enhanced flame retardancy and mechanical properties by embedding hydrophobic magnesium hydroxide

Biomass-based composites with renewability and biodegradability have attracted extensive researches, but their applications are hindered by poor mechanical properties and flame retardancy. Cellulose ester matrix composites (CEMC), a kind of biomass-based composites, were prepared with inorganic crystals as flame retardant and reinforcement. Cellulose acetate oleate (CAO) prepared by mechanical activation-assisted solid-phase reaction was used as thermoplastic matrix. Hydrophobic oleate-magnesium hydroxide (O-MH), which was surface-modified with oleic acid, was embedded into CAO to prepare O-MH/CAO composites by hot pressing. The introduction of oleoyl contributed to favorable thermoplasticity of cellulose ester, resulting in enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties of CEMC. The uniform dispersion of O-MH in the CAO matrix via metal-organic coordination increased the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of O-MH/CAO composites, ascribing to the toughening effect and combustion inhibition effect induced by O-MH. This study provides a feasible technology for fabricating the CEMC with outstanding thermal stability and mechanical properties.

Automated summary

This study successfully enhanced the thermal stability and mechanical properties of CEMC by using CAO prepared by mechanical activation-assisted solid-phase reaction and surface-modified O-MH, resulting in O-MH/CAO composites with good dispersibility and improved mechanical properties and flame retardancy.