Effect of hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene combined with octapropylglycidylether polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane on thermal stability and flame retardancy of epoxy resin

Abstract

A novel phosphazene-based compound called hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPCTP) was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as proton and phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Epoxy (EP) resin composites containing HPCTP and octapropylglycidylether polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OGPOSS) were prepared using 4,4′-diamino diphenylmethane as curing agent. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, UL 94 vertical burning test, and cone calorimetry test were used to assess thermal stability and flame retardancy of the composites. Evaluation of thermal properties demonstrated that the resulting composites achieved less thermal stability compared with control EP resin but possessed high char yields at high temperatures. It indicated that both HPCTP and OGPOSS could induce the formation of intumescent char layer that retarded the degradation and combustion process of EP resin. The peak heat release rate of EP resin composite containing 15 wt% HPCTP was 61% less than that of control EP resin. Meanwhile, other flame-retardant parameters were also improved. Results of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy of residual chars confirmed that both HPCTP and OGPOSS can enhance thermal stability and flame retardancy of EP resin.