Synthesis and characterization of P/Si flame retardant and its application in epoxy systems

In this report, a novel phosphorus/silicon-containing reactive flame retardant, hexa(3-triglycidyloxysilylpropyl)triphosphazene (HGPP), was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra ( 1 H, 31 P, and 29 Si), respectively. To prepare cured epoxy, HGPP had been co-cured with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) via 4,4-diaminodiphenylsulfone as a curing agent. The mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant properties of the cured epoxy were evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and limiting oxygen index (LOI). According to these results, it could be found that incorporation of HGPP in the cured epoxy system showed good thermal stability, high LOI values, and high char yield at high temperature. As moderate loading of HGPP in the epoxy system, its storage modulus and glass transition temperature were higher than those of neat DGEBA. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.