A nano graphene oxide/α-zirconium phosphate hybrid for rigid polyvinyl chloride foams with simultaneously improved mechanical strengths, smoke suppression, flame retardancy and thermal stability

A nano graphene oxide/α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) hybrid (GOZP) was synthesized by an in-situ technique, and characterized by XRD , FTIR, SEM, TEM , etc. Rigid polyvinyl chloride (RPVC) foams containing GOZP exhibit high mechanical, flame retardant and smoke suppressive properties. The compressive and flexural strengths of sample RPVC/GOZP3 with 3 phr GOZP increase by 28.6% and 45.2%, respectively compared to those of pure RPVC foam. The limiting oxygen index (29.5%) of sample RPVC/GOZP3 is higher than that (27.5%) of pure RPVC foam. The cone calorimeter test results demonstrate that peak heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke production of sample RPVC/GOZP3 decrease by 13%, 24% and 59%, respectively compared with the ones of pure RPVC foam. Moreover, sample RPVC/GOZP3 shows a higher thermal stability than pure RPVC foam.