Improving the Flame Retardancy and Smoke Suppression of Poly(Lactic Acid) with a SiO2@ammonium Molybdate Core-Shell Nanotubes

Design and fabrication of SiO2@ammonium molybdate(AM) core-shell nanotubes are important for polylactic acid (PLA), these two components form a well-defined core-shell configuration that is distinct from simple core-shell or hybrid structures. The PLA was investigated by limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test and smoke density, cone calorimeter test, SEM and TGA. The results showed that SiO2@AM nanotube can effectively increase the flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties, and that it can apparently reduce heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke release. Furthermore, the addition of SiO2@AM nanotube brings better mechanical properties than the sample contain SiO2 nanotube. Here, SiO2@AM nanotube was considered to be an effective flame retardant in PLA.