Influence of glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly (butylene succinate) (PBS‐g‐GMA) on flame retardancy and mechanical properties of water hyacinth fiber/ammonium polyphosphate/poly (butylene succinate) composites

Abstract

In this study, water hyacinth fiber (WHF) was used as a carbon source in combination with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to formulate an environmentally friendly intumescent flame retardant for poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) composites. Glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly (butylene succinate) (PBS-g-GMA) was prepared via a reactive melt grafting reaction to serve as a compatibilizer for WHF/APP/PBS composites. Effects of incorporating APP and WHF, and PBS-g-GMA on mechanical properties, thermal properties and flame retardancy of PBS composites were investigated. Results showed that the addition of PBS-g-GMA greatly improved tensile strength, flexural strength and crystallization rate of WHF/APP/PBS composites. According to UL-94 and limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests, the presence of 15 wt% WHF, 30 wt% APP, and 15 wt% PBS-g-GMA enabled the WHF/APP/15PBS-g-GMA/PBS composite to achieve a V-0 rating and the maximum LOI value of 29.2%. Char residue analysis revealed that the combination of APP and WHF promoted the formation of an expanded char layer, whereas the addition of PBS-g-GMA induced the formation of compact, highly graphitized residues. Findings will contribute to the development of biodegradable flame-retardant polymer composites for engineering applications.

Water Hyacinth Fiber as a Bio-Based Carbon Source for Intumescent Flame-Retardant Poly (Butylene Succinate) Composites

“…Glycidyl methacrylate-grafted poly (butylene succinate) (PBS-g-GMA) was used as compatibilizer for PBS composites. It was synthesized in our laboratory by melt blending of 3 phr of dicumly peroxide (DCP) and 0.5 phr of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) [5].…”

“…However, PBS, like other thermoplastic resins, is naturally flammable, possessing a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of around 23.3%. During combustion, PBS also releases substantial amounts of polymer melt droplets, which ignite cotton placed beneath the specimen and subsequently promote the spread of the fire [5]. This severely limits the potential applications of PBS, particularly in foaming products, packaging, and electronic industries.…”

“…Water hyacinth, a free-floating aquatic plant known for its rapid growth and negative impact on ecosystems, is composed of cellulose (20%), hemicellulose (33%), and lignin (9%), with numerous hydroxyl groups [34]. Due to its chemical composition, water hyacinth fiber (WHF) can be used to strengthen polymer composites [5,35]. It also has the potential to substitute conventional carbon sources in IFR systems.…”

“…In our previous study, we demonstrated that incorporating poly (butylene succinate) grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (PBS-g-GMA) into WHF/APP/PBS composites improves their mechanical and flame-retardant properties [5]. However, the weight ratio of WHF (a carbon source) to APP (an acid source) and the overall IFR content have not been explored in relation to the flame retardancy performance of WHF/APP/PBS composites.…”

Preparation and smoke suppression mechanism of flame‐retardant PBS composites with BNNS@DOPA

“…[15][16][17][18] Researchers have shown a longstanding interest in modifying PBS to improve its flame resistance. Phosphorus-based compounds, which exhibit high flame retardancy and low toxicity, have found wide use, [19][20][21] such as ammonium polyphosphate-based expansion systems, [22][23][24] aluminum hypophosphite and aluminum diethyl phosphonate. [25][26][27] However, flame retardants containing phosphorus often lead to a significant accumulation of heat during combustion, which causes increased smoke release.…”