Bio-based flame retardant macromolecules combined with nanoclay DK4 for fireproofing and toughening of polybutylene adipate/terephthalate (PBAT)

In this study, an organic macromolecular flame-retardant quaternary ammonium salt (OCA-HP-LA) was synthesized through molecular design and its structure was characterized. Subsequently, it was mixed with nano clay (DK4) and poly (butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) by melt blending to prepare PBAT/DK4/OCA-HP-LA nanocomposite. The tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB) of the sample PBAT/DK4/OCA-HP-LA 5wt% were 23.3MPa and 1362%, respectively, which were higher than the pure sample. This indicates that the addition of OCA-HP-LA enabled complete delamination of the DK4 flakes, achieving true nanocomposite., which can be confirmed by transmission electron microscopy results. The PHRR of the modified samples was significantly reduced, notably, the SPR and TSP of the sample PBAT/DK4/OCA-HP-LA 5wt% were 0.127m 2 /s and 7.86m 2 , which were 40.4% and 47.1% lower than those of the pure PBAT. Therefore, OCA-HP-LA achieves a multi-dimensional improvement in the mechanical and fire safety properties of PBAT.