Synthesis of a novel liquid phosphorus-containing flame retardant for flexible polyurethane foam: Combustion behaviors and thermal properties

F. Zhou, T. Zhang, B. Zou, W. Hu, B. Wang, J. Zhan, C. Ma, Y. Hu

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Abstract

To overcome the shortcomings of limited flame retardant efficiency and migration of commercialized
dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) in flexible polyurethane foams (FPUFs), a novel liquid
phosphorus-containing flame retardant named bis((dimethoxyphosphoryl)methyl) phenyl phosphate
(BDMPP) was synthesized via dimethyl (hydroxymethyl)phosphonate and phenyl dichlorophosphate and
applied into FPUFs. Compared with DMMP, BDMPP contains two kinds of phosphorus with higher
molecular weight and one kind of its phosphorus is very similar with that of DMMP. The flame
retardancy of FPUFs was evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test and cone calo-
rimetry test. In contrast with DMMP, BDMPP showed better flame retardancy. When 20 wt% BDMPP
(relative to polyether polyol) was incorporated, the foam composite obtained an LOI value of 23.0% and
passed the vertical burning test. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that BDMPP containing
FPUFs had better thermal stability and more char yield than those of DMMP containing FPUFs. Moreover,
accelerated heat ageing test revealed that BDMPP exhibited better resistance to migration than DMMP.
The flame retardant mechanisms were investigated by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spec-
trometry (TG-IR), scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Compared with DMMP, the
increase in the flame retardancy of BDMMP in FPUFs is possibly due to its different structure.
Original languageEnglish
Article number109029
Number of pages10
JournalPolymer degradation and stability
Volume171
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

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