The flame-retardance polylactide nanocomposites with nano attapulgite coated by resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)

The nano attapulgite (ATP) coated by flame-retardant resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) was prepared, and the modification effects were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy plus energy dispersive spectrometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectra, the contact angles, and thermal gravimetry analysis. The results showed that RDP was adsorbed and formed a uniform layer on the surface of nano ATP with a content of about 25 wt%. The prepared polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites with the RDP-coated nano ATP showed good mechanical properties, and the tensile strength of the nanocomposites containing 30 wt% of the RDP-coated nano ATP reached 76.9 MPa in comparison with 66.2 MPa of pure PLA. The limiting oxygen index of the prepared PLA composites containing 30 wt% of the RDP-coated nano ATP was about 24.5% and V-0 rating was attained compared with 20.5% and with no rating of pure PLA. After the burning of the flame-retardant PLA composites, a compact and coherent charred layer was formed; the flame-retardance mechanism is discussed in detail. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:506-513, 2016. (c) 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers