In this study, cost-effective, widely spread, and nontoxic fillers were used to improve the flame retardancy of epoxy nanocomposites. A novel and environmentally benign cation exchange approach was used for the modification of bentonite nanoclay with positively charged L-serine, used to synthesize nanocomposites. Modification of clay was confirmed by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique proved increase of d-spacing from 12.82 Å to 14.42 Å as a result of cation exchange. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to investigate microstructure of the nanocomposites. Reduction in weight loss, with 28.0 % to 34.0 % increase in char yield of epoxy nanocomposites was determined by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Underwriters laboratories (UL-94) V-0 ratings of nanocomposites indicated improved flame retardancy. Nanofillers significantly reduced the loading of aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH) and improved the flame retardancy through its synergistic effect.
LiuQWangDLiZ, et al.Recent developments in the flame-retardant system of epoxy resin. Materials2020; 13(9): 2145.
2.
YanWZhangMQYuJ, et al.Synergistic flame-retardant effect of epoxy resin combined with phenethyl-bridged DOPO derivative and graphene nanosheets. Chin J Polym Sci2019; 37: 79–88.
3.
HsissouRSeghiriRBenzekriZ, et al.Polymer composite materials: a comprehensive review. Compos Struct2021; 262: 113640.
4.
GoudarziMGhanbariDSalavatiNM. Room temperature preparation of aluminum hydroxide nanoparticles and flame retardant poly vinyl alcohol nanocomposite. Journal of Nanostructures2015; 5: 110–115.
5.
MathewsLDCaprichoJCPeerzadaM, et al.Recent progress and multifunctional applications of fire-retardant epoxy resins. Mater Today Commun2022; 33: 104702.
6.
VahidiGBajwaDSShojaeiaraniJ, et al.Advancements in traditional and nanosized flame retardants for polymers—a review. J Appl Polym Sci2021; 138(12): 50050.
7.
LiuSFangZYanH, et al.Synergistic flame retardancy effect of graphene nanosheets and traditional retardants on epoxy resin. Compos Appl Sci Manuf2016; 89: 26–32.
8.
SaputraAHSungkarF. Synthesis and characterization of non halogen fire retardant composite through combination of epoxy resin, Al (OH)3 additive and filler. AIP conference proceedings; 2017. USA: AIP Publishing LLC, 2017, p. 020079.
9.
MartinsMSSchartelBMagalhãesFD, et al.The effect of traditional flame retardants, nanoclays and carbon nanotubes in the fire performance of epoxy resin composites. Fire Mater2017; 41(2): 111–130.
10.
DasPMannaSBeheraAK, et al.Current synthesis and characterization techniques for clay-based polymer nano-composites and its biomedical applications: a review. Environ Res2022; 212: 113534.
11.
GillaniQFAhmadFMutalibMIA, et al.Effects of halloysite nanotube reinforcement in expandable graphite based intumescent fire retardant coatings developed using hybrid epoxy binder system. Chin J Polym Sci2018; 36: 1286–1296.
12.
HuXLiMYangJ, et al.In situ fabrication of melamine hydroxy ethylidene diphosphonate wrapped montmorillonite for reducing the fire hazards of epoxy resin. Appl Clay Sci2021; 201: 105934.
13.
SalihWK. Fire retardancy assessment of polypropylene composite filed with nano clay prepared from Iraqi bentonite. In: Journal of Physics: conference series; 2018. Bristol, UK: IOP Publishing, 2018, p. 012019.
14.
PiresJJuźkówJPintoML. Amino acid modified montmorillonite clays as sustainable materials for carbon dioxide adsorption and separation. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp2018; 544: 105–110.
15.
HajjizadehMGhammamySGanjidoustH, et al.Amino acid modified bentonite clay as an eco-friendly adsorbent for landfill leachate treatment. Pol J Environ Stud2020; 29(6): 4089–4099.
16.
MallakpourSDinariM. Preparation and characterization of new organoclays using natural amino acids and Cloisite Na+. Appl Clay Sci2011; 51(3): 353–359.
17.
MallakpourSDinariM. Novel nanocomposites based on reactive organoclay of l-tyrosine and amine end-capped poly (amide–imide): synthesis and characterization. Appl Clay Sci2013; 75-76: 67–73.
18.
BeyerG. Nanocomposites: a new class of flame retardants for polymers. Plastics, Addit Compd2002; 4(10): 22–28.
19.
BeyerG. Introduction to flame retardant systems. In: Flame retardant nanocomposites. Sawston, UK: Woodhead Publishing, 2024, pp. 1–22.
20.
ZabihiOAhmadiMNikafsharS, et al.A technical review on epoxy-clay nanocomposites: structure, properties, and their applications in fiber reinforced composites. Composites part B: engineering2018; 135: 1–24.
21.
KausarAHaiderSMuhammadB. Nanocomposite based on polystyrene/polyamide blend and bentonite: morphology, thermal, and nonflammability properties. Nanomater Nanotechnol2017; 7(7): 184798041770278.
22.
NarayananDPGopalakrishnanAYaakobZ, et al.A facile synthesisof clay–graphene oxide nanocomposite catalysts for solvent free multicomponent Biginelli reaction. Arab J Chem2020; 13(1): 318–334.
23.
BartiauxSLhoestJBGenetMJ, et al.Poly (Amino acids) by XPS: analysis of poly (l-serine). Surf Sci Spectra1994; 3(4): 342–347.
24.
KumarALingfaP. Sodium bentonite and kaolin clays: comparative study on their FT-IR, XRF, and XRD. Mater Today Proc2020; 22: 737–742.
25.
AndrunikMBajdaT. Modification of bentonite with cationic and nonionic surfactants: structural and textural features. Materials2019; 12(22): 3772.
26.
AnnappaARBasavarajappaSShivaramuPD. Spectral characterization of morphological structure of organomodified montmorillonite clay-based epoxy nanocomposite. Int J Polym Anal Char2021; 26(6): 471–485.
27.
HassaniADarvishi Cheshmeh SoltaniRKıranşanM, et al.Ultrasound-assisted adsorption of textile dyes using modified nanoclay: central composite design optimization. Korean J Chem Eng2016; 33: 178–188.
28.
AbulyaziedDEEneA. An investigative study on the progress of nanoclay-reinforced polymers: preparation, properties, and applications: a review. Polymers2021; 13(24): 4401.
29.
GengJQinJHeJ. Preparation of intercalated organic montmorillonite DOPO-MMT by melting method and its effect on flame retardancy to epoxy resin. Polymers2021; 13(20): 3496.
30.
K MadhupMK ShahNR ParekhN. An investigation of abrasion resistance property of clay-epoxy nanocomposite coating. Mat Sci Res India2018; 15: 165–178.
31.
KodaliDUddinMJMouraEA, et al.Mechanical and thermal properties of modified Georgian and Brazilian clay infused biobased epoxy nanocomposites. Mater Chem Phys2021; 257: 123821.
32.
KocamanSSoydalUAhmetliG. Influence of cotton waste and flame-retardant additives on the mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of phenolic novolac epoxy composites. Cellulose2021; 28(12): 7765–7780.
33.
XueCQinYFuH, et al.Thermal stability, mechanical properties and ceramization mechanism of epoxy resin/kaolin/quartz fiber ceramifiable composites. Polymers2022; 14(16): 3372.
IsitmanNAKaynakC. Tailored flame retardancy via nanofiller dispersion state: synergistic action between a conventional flame-retardant and nanoclay in high-impact polystyrene. Polym Degrad Stabil2010; 95(9): 1759–1768.
