Flame retardancy and thermal properties of poly(butylene succinate)/ nano‐boehmite composites prepared via in situ polymerization

Abstract

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and its nanocomposites with nanoboehmite (nBhm) were synthesized via direct esterification between succinic acid and butylene glycol (BG). Boehmite (Bhm) nanoparticles, up to 2%, were added in the polycondensation step. Repeatability of runs was observed by the amount of the gathered water. Temperature trajectory was considered as an indication of the polycondensation start. Mixing torque was measured and its rapid increase, up to 0.6 Nm, was deliberated as the end of the process. Polycondensation time decreases with an increase in amount of nBhm due to the catalytic role of aluminum in Bhm. The chemical structure of PBS was proved through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. XRD spectrum and scanning electron microscope images show a good distribution of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Differential scanning calorimetric results determine that Tg increases with the nanoparticle content. Improved Avrami equation was fitted to study the kinetics of the crystallization of samples. As a result, spherulite crystal growth was determined based on the Avrami index. Thermal gravimetric analysis trends are the same, however, nanocomposites show more residual ash. Atomic force microscopy images show that nanocomposites have a rough surface. It was observed that the flame advancement decreases up to 60% and limiting oxygen index increases up to 8%.

Polybutylene succinate, a potential bio-degradable polymer: synthesis, copolymerization and bio-degradation

“…Polymer Chemistry nium(IV) butoxide as a polycondensation catalyst, in combination with polyphosphoric acid as a thermal stabilizer, was utilized for the synthesis of poly(butylene succinate)/nanoboehmite composites 40 (Scheme 19).…”

“…Thus, the use of thermal stabilizers, in combination with a Lewis acid catalyst, has also been explored in producing high molecular weight copolyesters. As a result, titanium( iv ) butoxide as a polycondensation catalyst, in combination with polyphosphoric acid as a thermal stabilizer, was utilized for the synthesis of poly(butylene succinate)/nano-boehmite composites 40 (Scheme 19).…”

A review of current knowledge and future trends in polymer/boehmite nanocomposites

“…Kahkesh et al. 121 prepared non-flammable poly(butylene succinate)/boehmite nanocomposites. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) was used to confirm the flame resistance properties.…”

“…The LOI slightly increased up to 8%, relative to the neat polymer. Guido et al 122 prepared non-flammable polyester fabrics treated with boehmite nanoparticles. Treating polymer fibers with boehmite affected their thermal stability and flammability resistance.…”

Investigation on thermal properties and flame retardancy of glass‐fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) composites filled with aluminum hypophosphite and melamine cyanurate

“…[18][19][20] However, an inconvenient drawback still exists that IFR system cannot acquire a satisfactory flame retarded classification in the circumstances of low loading. Besides, much more efforts have been devoted to experimenting with many novel functional additives for combustion suppression as well, such as nano-boehmite, 21 surface modified montmorillonite, 22,23 graphene oxide, 24,25 attapulgite, 26 and steel slag waste. 27,28 By contrast, as a new type of flame retardant with high phosphorus content, aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) has been given more preference and proved well to be a quite excellent flame retardant, [29][30][31][32][33] especially synergistically compounding with the nitrogen-based melamine cyanurate (MC), which could significantly improve the flame retardance for various polymer-based composites, according to many published related papers.…”