Abstract
A novel copolymer of α-phenylethenylphosphonic acid and styrene was successfully synthesized and used to prepare surface-modified magnesium hydroxide (MH). Flame-retardant polypropylene composites were fabricated by filling the above MH. The combustibility, mechanical properties, and thermal behaviors of the composites were characterized. The results demonstrate that the above properties are improved with the amount of modifier and the phosphonic acid group contents on the main chain of the copolymer. Through the microstructure and the fracture surface morphology of the composites analyzed by transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope, the above improvements are mostly attributed to the good dispersion of surface-modified filler and the strong adhesion between the filler and matrix.
