Synthesis of zinc hydroxystannate/reduced graphene oxide composites using chitosan to improve poly(vinyl chloride) performance

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 256; p. 117575
• Main Authors: Huo, Zhiyong, Wu, Hongjuan, Song, Qingyi, Zhou, Zhaoxi, Wang, Tian, Xie, Jixing, Qu, Hongqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15-03-2021
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Flame retardant; Flame Retardants; Graphite - chemical synthesis; Graphite - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oxides - chemistry; Poly(vinyl chloride); Polyvinyl Chloride - chemistry; Reduced graphene oxide; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Stress, Mechanical; Temperature; Tensile Strength; Tin - chemistry; Zinc - chemistry; Zinc hydroxystannate; Zinc Oxide; Flame retardant; Zinc hydroxystannate; Chitosan; Reduced graphene oxide; Poly(vinyl chloride)
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117575

•An ion replacement strategy modified ZHS and rGO hybrid flame retardant by chitosan.•The flame retardancy and mechanical property of PVC can be improved simultaneously.•The chitosan has the characteristics of non-toxic and good anti-migration effect.
Chitosan-modified zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS-CS) was synthesized using the cations of the biomaterial chitosan (CS) and ion replacement strategy. A ZHS-CS and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid flame retardant (ZHS-CS/rGO) was synthesized for use in flexible poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC). Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that ZHS-CS and rGO were evenly dispersed in ZHS-CS/rGO without agglomeration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that rGO was fully reduced. The flame-retardant and mechanical properties of PVC composites were investigated using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), a cone calorimeter, and mechanical equipment. By replacing one-fifth of the zinc ions in ZHS by chitosan cations to obtain Sn-4Zn-1CS/rGO, the ZHS-CS/rGO was found to improve PVC composite performance. The total heat release and total smoke release of PVC/Sn-4Zn-1CS/rGO were reduced by 24.2 and 40.0 %, respectively, from those of pure PVC.