Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene Functionalized Graphene\nOxide as a Highly Efficient Flame Retardant

Abstract

A flame-retardant\ncomposite was synthesized through a simple graphene\noxide functionalization route with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and <i>p</i>-phenylenediamine. Flame experiments conducted on the synthesized\ncomposite proved its importance as tremendously resistant to fire.\nThe thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows clearly that the functionalized\ngraphene oxide (FGO) exhibits an enhanced thermal stability and better\ntemperature resistance. A thermoset epoxy resin was prepared by incorporating\ndifferent percentages (2, 5, and 10%) of FGO to diglycidyl ether of\nbisphenol A (DGEBA). The flame-retardant properties, thermal degradation\nbehavior, and combustion of the DGEBA thermosets cured by <i>m</i>-phenylenediamine were investigated using a Bunsen burner\nflame approaching the flame temperature of a fire and TGA. The chemical\nstructure of FGO was characterized with spectroscopic and imaging\ntechniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman\nspectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, TGA, scanning electron microscopy,\nenergy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental mapping, and X-ray\nphotoelectron spectroscopy. Due to its high flame-retardant capabilities,\nsuch a composite could promise potential applications in the manufacture\nof inflammable materials for different uses.