Characterization of Polyurethane Nanocomposites for Flame Retardant Applications

Abstract

In recent years, polymer nanocomposites have attracted extensive attention in materials science because they often exhibit a field of different properties from those of their counterpart polymer micro-composites whose matrices contain the same inorganic components. This novel polyurethane nanocomposite to reduce toxic gases was designed to improve the possibility to resolve several industrial and environmental problems after combustion as intoxication by inhalation. According to this, stoichiometry of rigid polyurethane foam was based on nonmetallic nanoparticles for fireproof applications. On the other hand, we realized synthesis and characterization for the novel polymer, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray scattering were applied to collect information on the nanometer-scale physical structure of the polyurethane nanocomposite. Also, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to understand the internal nanostructure before and after combustion, as well as the gas chromatography coupled system with thermal desorption analysis (GC/MSD), to identify the chemical compositions and compounds resulted by the combustion gases generated of the polyurethane nanocomposites foams that can produce toxicity. In addition, the mechanical and flammability properties of rigid polyurethane were evaluated according to international standard test methods of burning of polymer for example using test ASTM D635. According to this, polymer nanocomposites for flammability, not only improves the fireproof properties, but can also improve others properties as can be mechanical and thermal stability providing it the potential to bring true applications to materials to take advantage of the synergies in the polymer matrix. Based on this evidence, nanopolyurethane could be a new and functional polymer for construction, automotive, or textile industries.