Intimate contacted 0D/2D hierarchical nanocomposite produces mechanically strong and flame retardant wood plastic composite

Zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS) with transition metal zinc and tin is a promising inorganic flame retardant in the field of wood flour/polyvinyl chloride composites (WP). Unfortunately, the cubic structure of ZHS results in poor dispersion in WP matrices, thereby reducing its mechanical properties in WP. Here, ZHS was fabricated on the surface of nano-montmorillonite (MMT) to form a zero-dimensional (0D)/ two-dimensional (2D) structure, which could improve the flame retardancy, tensile and bending strength of WP. Comparing with WP, total heat release and total smoke production of WP modified with 6 wt% MMT/ZHS composites decreased by 60.06 % and 30.18 %, respectively. Moveover, the tensile and flexural strength of the optimal WP increased by 28.00 % and 19.54 %, respectively. The unique microstructure of 0D/2D MMT/ZHS endows WP with outstanding fire satety and mechanical properties, which is conducive to the application in various fields.