Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/zinc borate nanocomposites

Polyurethane/zinc borate (PU/ZB) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization with the main aim to increase the flame retardancy of PU. In this study, zinc borate (ZB) nanoparticles were modified with poly (propylene glycol) phosphate ester (PPG-P) and oleic acid (OA). The surface modification of ZB, the microstructure and the properties of nanocomposites were investigated by water contact angles, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis. It was found that the addition of a small amount of OA greatly improved the dispersion of ZB nanoparticles, meanwhile, the modified ZB with OA had very significant effects on the thermal stability of PU. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.