Compatibilizing effect of β-cyclodextrin in RDP/phosphorus-containing polyacrylate composite emulsion and its synergism on the flame retardancy of the latex film

Resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate)/beta-cyclodextrin/phosphorus-containing polyacrylate (RDP/beta-CD/PPA)composite emulsion was prepared by using beta-CD as a compatibilizer. The flame retardancy of the composite latex film was investigated by microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties of the composite latex films were also studied and a possible compatibilizing mechanism was proposed. The results showed that the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of the RDP/beta-CD/P-PA composite latex film were enhanced compared to the RDP/P-PA latex film. When the beta-CD content increased from 0 to 10 wt%, the pendulum hardness of the RDP/beta-CD/P-PA composite latex film increased from 0.18 to 0.54, and the peak heat release rate decreased from 382.1 to 311.9 W/g. TGA and MCC results demonstrated that both the char residual and the quality of the char formation were improved by the introduction of beta-CD. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.