Stannate and surface functionalized molybdate of zinc for enhanced flame retardancy of epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

AbstractSelf‐assembled platelike zinc molybdate and nanosized spherical zinc stannate particles were synthesized (at 27 & 5°C, respectively) following the surfactant mediated chemical precipitation method. Epoxy resin‐based composites were prepared by controllably adding 1%, 5%, and 10% (wt./wt.) of synthesized zinc‐based particles. Prepared composites were evaluated for their flame retardancy in terms of rate of burning, smoke density, limiting oxygen index and mechanical properties as flexural strength. Epoxy composites with 10% addition of oleic acid modified zinc molybdate with zinc stannate nanoparticles showed better performance in terms of flexural strength and improved flame retardancy among the composites prepared. The improvements in the flame retardancy and flexural strength of epoxy with surface modified fillers as compared to unmodified can be attributed to dispersion within a polymer matrix and correlated with their morphological, functional group, and thermogravimetric analyzes.