Design of Novel Flame Retardant Materials that Operate through Synergistic Mechanisms

摘要

To understand the influence of structure of polyphenol on the flame retardant characteristics, phenols containing different types of substituents were polymerized and characterized. The nature and position of the substituent on the phenol was controlled to facilitate the coupling of through specific positions to yield polyphenols with enhanced stability and/or flame retardant characteristics. In addition, the role of temperature in minimizing side reactions and formation of low molecular weight oligomers was also explored. Reactions were carried out at room temperature or at 4 deg. C and the thermal stability of these products were compared. Titania nanoparticles and Titania functionalized with polyphenol were dispersed in a polyolefin matrix. The thermal properties of these filled polyolefin samples were compared with those of pristine polyolefin. Preliminary data indicate that the rate of flame propagation can be reduced by up to 30% by incorporation of polyphenols or Titania. The modification of Titania by polyphenols prior to blending do not seem to significantly change the rate of flame propagation in polyolefins.