Application of Nanometer Antimony Trioxide Modified by Dioctyl Phthalate in Polyvinyl Chloride Flame Retardant Materials

In order to improve the compatibility and dispersion of antimony trioxide nanoparticles (nano-Sb₂O₃) in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and improve the comprehensive properties of PVC, a novel type of nano-Sb₂O₃/DOP/PVC composites was prepared by using nano-Sb₂O₃ modified by dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as flame retardant and the mechanical properties and flame-retardant properties of the composites were studied. The results indicated that nano-Sb₂O₃ particles modified by appropriate DOP could improve the flame retardancy and tensile strength of PVC matrix composites due to good dispersibility and interface compatibility of nano-Sb₂O₃ in PVC matrix. The PVC matrix composites containing 2 wt% nano-Sb₂O₃ particles modified by DOP with 5 wt% of usage had excellent flame retardancy, which LOI was 29.8% and its UL94 grade was V-0 level. And the heat release rate,smoke production rate, CO content and CO₂ content of the composites was significantly reduced. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the composites were 15.9 MPa and 2.1 GPa, respectively.

Keyword:
polyvinyl chloride; antimony trioxide nanoparticles; dioctyl phthalate; composites; flame retardancy; mechanical properties