The aim of the project is to develop a new eco-friendly polymeric material with fire-retardancy properties using bio-based materials and phosphorous-based flame-retardant systems that will not drastically affect the matrix properties.
The ubiquity and widespread use of polymeric materials in all aspects of modern life carries an inherent fire risk due to large fire load and high flammability of hydrocarbon-based materials. Furthermore, the materials tend to become lighter and ¿bio-based¿ in order to achieve the perfect renewability of resources. Nowadays, due to specific mechanical properties (stiffness and strength), low weight and corrosion resistance, the consumption of fibre reinforced plastics is experiencing a continuous increase in a wide range of applications and sectors. Within this class of materials, the natural fibres, such as flax, jute, kenaf etc. are often used with a view to decrease their environmental impact. These materials, known as biocomposites. will involve more and more the organic matter. In order to modify, reduce, delay or even stop the combustion process of polymeric materials, the research of suitable flame retardant is crucial in safeguarding against accidental fires, costly damage to material goods, and in ensuring the health and safety of the people. Halogenated flame retardants additives were widely applied in the past because of their low impact in other material properties and the low loading levels for firefighting; however, potentially dangerous effects on human health and environment raise concerns about their risk-benefit balance. In this contest, new safer phosphorus-based flame retardants will be synthetized and developed starting by different bio-derived platforms (such as organic acid and polymers). Chemical (FTIR), thermal (TGA; DSC), morphological (SEM), mechanical (tensile, flexural and impact) and fire properties (LOI and Cone Calorimeter test) of flame retarded polymers/biocomposites will be assessed and optimized.
In the last 10 years the flame retardants attracted much attention by the scientific and industrial community and as foreseen for the next future will still represent a very active topic, as reflected by a large number of publications and by related applications with the thermoplastics, which will request in the near future even more intensive research. The relationship between flame retardants and thermoplastics will evolve more and will ask for new solutions, more eco-friendly, less toxic in contact with humans and safer in critical condition (emissions of toxic gases during a fire situation). Halogen-free flame retardants will remain a priority for the next few years at least. Halogen-based flame retardants are still very cost effective compared to the others. In industrial applications they will still exist as long as other effective solutions will not appear.
Phosphorus is essential to the development of novel efficient flame retardants, due to its chemical versatility: it can act in both the condensed and gas phase, as an additive or as a reactive component, in various oxidization states, and also in synergy with numerous adjuvant elements. Furthermore, phosphorus-based materials have the potential to fulfill all the criteria relating to current mandatory aspects, such as nontoxic, recyclable, and biobased (or even sustainable). Future flame retardants will be increasingly tailored to the polymer and composite type and its specific application, especially for new emerging polymers, including biopolymers. Finally, the use of renewable resources as efficient flame retardant will ensure a more ecologically system of production. "Molecular firefighting" requires the combined efforts of synthetic chemistry, an understanding of flame retardancy mechanisms as well as knowledge of polymer processing. This interdisciplinary field is in continuous evolution in understanding the flame retardancy mechanisms, which will drive toward more sustainable flame retardants and a new era of plastic materials tailored for specific applications.