Synthesis of a novel phosphorus-containing flame retardant for epoxy resins

In this study, a novel phosphorus-containing flame retardant copolymer of spirocyclic pentaerythritol di(phosphate monochloride) and bisphenol S (SPD-BS) was successfully synthesized and used as a flame retardant in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resins. The chemical structure of the SPD-BS was characterized using FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectra. The thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of SPD-BS and nano-CaCO₃ on the flame-retardant properties of DGEBA/SPD-BS systems were evaluated by measurement of the burning rate. As a result, the thermal stabilities of the DGEBA/SPD-BS systems were decreased with increasing SPD-BS content. The flame-retardant properties and char yields of the systems were significantly increased when SPD-BS content increased. The synergism of nano-CaCO₃ incorporation on flame retardancy was found for the DGEBA/SPD-BS systems.