Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Transition metal ion modified organoclays as fire retardant fillers for polymer nanocomposites

  • Stony Brook University
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In this study, transition metal ion (TMI) modified organoclays and their polymer nanocomposites with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) were investigated for their morphology, thermal and flame retardant properties, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), limited oxygen index (LOI) and standard UL-94 techniques. The content of TMI in modified clays was characterized by elemental analysis and the results were found to be close to the limiting value of cation exchange capacity (CEC). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that transition metal ions were located between the mineral layers instead of being adsorbed on the surface of clay particles. TGA results of TMI modified clays indicated that the TMI treatment of organoclays could significantly increase the thermal stability and hence these can be used as flame retardant fillers. TGA measurements also revealed that the presence of TMI increased the onset temperature of structural degradation. The higher thermal stability of TMImodified organoclays can be attributed to the change in the thermal degradation mechanism, including the decrease in the yield of volatile products and the enhanced formation of char facilitated by catalytically active TMI. The corresponding TMImodified clay nanocomposites exhibited significantly improved thermal stability and fire retardation properties, but similar morphology (i.e., an intercalated-exfoliated structure). The improved fire retardation properties can be explained by the enhanced carbonaceous char formation during combustion.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 18th Annual Conference on Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials
Pages205-217
Number of pages13
StatePublished - 2007
Event18th Annual BCC Research Conference on Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials 2007 - Stamford, CT, United States
Duration: May 21 2007May 23 2007

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 18th Annual Conference on Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials
Volume2

Conference

Conference18th Annual BCC Research Conference on Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityStamford, CT
Period05/21/0705/23/07

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transition metal ion modified organoclays as fire retardant fillers for polymer nanocomposites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this