Flame retardant and antibacterial properties of PLA/PHMG-P/APP composites

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has evolved into a commodity polymer with numerous applications. However, its high flammability limits its viability as a perfect alternative to petrochemical engineering plastics. In this study, PLA was modified using polyhexamethyleneguanidine phosphate (PHMG-P) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The flame retardant performance of PLA/PHMG-P/APP was investigated based on the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimetry (CC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman Spectrometry. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to determine the antibacterial properties of PLA composites. The LOI of PLA-10% (P:A = 1:4) was 31.7% and was rated V-0 in the UL-94 V-0 test. The antibacterial properties of the composites reflected the antibacterial effects of PLA-10% (P: A = 1:4) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with the antibacterial rates reaching 93.41% and 93.26%, respectively. PHMG-P and APP had a synergistic flame-retardant effect and improved the flame retardancy of PLA while exhibiting excellent antibacterial properties.     

A novel bio-based charcoal-forming agent based on chitosan and phytate@Mg to improve the flame retardancy of poly(lactic acid)

A novel bio-based carbon forming agent (Mg@PA-CS) containing P and N elements was were synthesized using the complexation characteristics of chitosan (CS) and phytate (PA). The flame retardant behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/Mg@PA-CS/APP composites (addition of 20 wt% of different ratios of Mg@PA-CS and APP to polylactic acid composites) were investigated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), cone calorimetry test (CCT), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Due to the biphasic flame retardant and synergistic effect, since the 20 wt% flame retardant system (Mg@PA-CS:APP = 1:2), PLA composites passed the UL-94 test V-0 rating, reached 34% LOI value. The peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release rate (THR) were reduced to 1/2 of the pure PLA, char residue could be as high as 11.49% at 800°C. Moreover, the flame-retardant mechanism of PLA composites during thermal decomposition was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the coupling techniques of TGA linked with FT-IR (TG-FTIR).     

Effect of phosphorus–nitrogen compound on flame retardancy and mechanical properties of polylactic acid

A phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardant (PN) was synthesized by using cytosine and diphenylphosphinic chloride. The flame retardancy and thermal stability of polylactic acid (PLA)/PN composites were investigated by the UL-94 vertical burning test, limited oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter test, and thermogravimetric analysis. The PN performs efficiently on improving the flame retardancy of PLA. The PLA composite achieves the UL-94 V-0 rating and its LOI increases to 30.4 vol% by adding 0.5 wt% PN. The flame retardant mechanism analysis showed that PN catalyzes the degradation of PLA to improve the flame retardancy by melting-away mode. Meanwhile PN reduces the release of flammable gasses during thermal degradation of PLA by promoting the transesterification of PLA, which is helpful for extinguishing flame. Moreover, triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) was used as a micro-crosslinking agent to reduce the loss of mechanical properties of PLA/PN composites caused by degradation. Adding 0.1 wt% TGIC and 1.0 wt% PN into PLA, the tensile strength and elongation at break of PLA/PN are increased to the same level as that of PLA. Therefore, PLA with excellent comprehensive performance can be obtained.     

A monomolecular organophosphate for enhancing the flame retardancy,thermostability and crystallization properties of polylactic acid

Polylactic acid (PLA) is regarded as one of the most promising bioplastics. However, its inherent high flammability of PLA seriously limits its application in the emerging fields. Although the traditional phosphate flame retardants showed excellent flame retardant efficiency in PLA, they often failed to meet the processing requirements of PLA and the thermal stability of PLA composites was decreased after their addition. Herein, an organophosphate flame retardant pentaerythritol bis(phenyl phosphonate) (PBPP) with high thermal stability and phosphorus content was synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution reaction in our laboratory. The introduction of PBPP simultaneously improved the flame retardancy, thermostability and crystallization properties of PLA. Only 3 wt% PBPP endowed PLA composites with UL-94 V-0 grade and higher LOI of 28.3% due to its excellent gas phase effect. Moreover, the crystallinity of PLA/PBPP4 was enhanced from 14.2% of PLA to 32.2% with the improvement of 127%. Because of the similar structure and good compatibility between organophosphate flame retardant and PLA matrix, flame retardant PLA/PBPP maintained almost the same strength as neat PLA. This study provided a novel way for the preparation of a high-performance flame retardant PLA composites with excellent comprehensive properties and it was important to expand the application value of multifunctional PLA materials.     

Facile and scalable fabrication of bioderived flame retardant based on adenine for enhancing fire safety of fully biodegradable PLA/PBAT/TPS ternary blends

The facile fabrication of a bioderived flame retardant (marked as ATMP-A) via ionic exchange between adenine and amino trimethylene phosphonic acid was reported in the present work. The incorporation of ATMP-A endows the poly lactic acid (PLA)/poly butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) ternary blends with improved fire safety without negatively affecting the biodegradability. The PLA/PBAT/TPS blend containing 18 wt% ATMP-A alone achieves a UL-94 V-0 rating with a higher LOI value (28%). Meanwhile, its peak of the heat release rate and total heat release are reduced by 60.5% and 34.1% as compared with the PLA/PBAT/TPS ternary blend, respectively. Such excellent flame retardancy is mainly attributed to the formation of the intumescent flame retardant system in which ATMP-A acts as both acid and gas sources together with TPS as a natural carbon source. Based on the analysis of the volatile gases and the char residues, a possible flame retardant mechanism including gas phase and condensed phase is proposed. This work provides a novel and effective idea for improving the fireproof performance of PLA/PBAT/TPS blends and will broaden its practical application fields, such as, agricultural film and packaging fields.     

Synthesis of phospholipidated β‐cyclodextrin and its application for flame‐retardant poly(lactic acid) with ammonium polyphosphate

In this study, phospholipidated β‐cyclodextrin (PCD) was obtained by the condensation between β‐cyclodextrin and phenyl phosphonic acid dichloride, which was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, ¹H‐NMR, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal stability and flame retardancy of the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends [PLA–ammonium polyphosphate (APP)–PCD] were measured by TGA coupled to FTIR spectroscopy, vertical burning test (UL‐94), limiting oxygen index (LOI), and cone calorimetry tests. The results show that the mass ratio and loading amount of APP and PCD affected the properties of PLA. When the loading of APP and PCD was 30 wt % and the mass ratio of APP to PCD was 5:1, the highest LOI value of 42.6% (that of neat PLA was 19.7%) and a UL‐94 V0 rating were achieved, and the reduction of the total heat release was greater than 80%. Even when the total amount of APP and PCD was decreased to 20 wt % with the same mass ratio, the flame‐retardant PLA still can achieved a UL‐94 V0 rating. The improved performance was explained by the formation of an intumescent, continuous, contact char layer. Moreover, the reaction between APP and PCD contributed to the improvement of the thermal stability of the char residue. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46054.     

不同膨胀型阻燃剂改性聚丙烯/聚乳酸复合材料

用两种不同的膨胀型氮磷阻燃剂(IFR1和IFR2)阻燃改性聚丙烯(PP)/聚乳酸(PLA)复合材料。结果表明:两种阻燃剂在PP/PLA基体中都具有良好的分散性和界面粘合性。阻燃剂的加入降低了材料的力学性能,而含有25%阻燃剂的PP/PLA复合材料就能到达垂直燃烧试验(UL-94)的V0等级。燃烧过程中阻燃剂通过在材料表面形成致密的炭层来提高材料的阻燃性,其中IFR1对PP/PLA体系的阻燃改性效果更好。从力学性能和阻燃效果的双重考虑,质量含量25%的阻燃剂适合于PP/PLA材料的阻燃改性。     

Reactable versus soluble DOPO derivatives in poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) composites: Flame retardance,mechanical properties and morphology

Flame retardant poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co- terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) composites containing 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10- phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) derivatives (phosphorus-containing diol compound of DOPO-HQ, and bis DOPO phosphonates of DIDOPO) were systematically and comparatively investigated. Results showed that the different structures of the two derivatives with reactable or soluble characteristics display different effects. DIDOPO endows a higher limiting oxygen index and a better UL-94 rating for PLA/PBAT composites compared with DOPO-HQ. Compared with that of PLA/PBAT, the peak heat release rate of PLA/PBAT/DIDOPO-12.5 is 8.4% lower and that of PLA/PBAT/DOPO-HQ-12.5 is 30.6% lower. The flame retardant mechanism of the main gaseous and minor condensed phases is evident for the flame retardant PLA/PBAT composites. In comparison, DIDOPO displays a greater flame inhibition effect, and DOPO-HQ shows better barrier and protective functions in PLA/PBAT composites. Besides, the elongation at break of the composites with DOPO-HQ is slightly superior to that of PLA/PBAT/DIDOPO. After the introduction of flame retardant, the blends show dispersed particles with size reduction relative to those of PLA/PBAT. This work provides a guidance to design PLA composites with simultaneously improved flame retardancy and toughness.     

Three in one: β‐cyclodextrin,nanohydroxyapatite, and a nitrogen‐rich polymer integrated into a new flame retardant for poly (lactic acid)

A new halogen‐free flame retardant was developed by integrating β‐cyclodextrin, triazin ring, and nanohydroxyapatite (BSDH) into a hybrid system. A β‐cyclodextrin was grafted to a commercially available SABO®STAB UV94 via an aromatic deanhydrate. The BSDH was prepared in situ in the presence of β‐cyclodextrin‐grafted nitrogen‐rich precursor. The resulting hybrid was applied as a flame retardant for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and compared for performance with ammonium polyphosphate (APP). PLA composites containing BSDH and APP, individually or simultaneously, were examined for thermal degradation and flammability by TGA, cone calorimeter, and pyrolysis‐combustion flow calorimetry. TGA results confirmed enhancement of thermal stability of PLA with assistance of BSDH compared to APP. The gases evolved during thermal degradation were assessed by a thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier infrared spectroscopy device. APP revealed catalytic effect to initiate PLA degradation, while BSDH continued to release some gases at elevated temperatures. The flame retardancy of PLA/APP/BSDH blend containing only 10 wt.% of additives was significantly improved. In cone calorimetric tests, a significant fall in peak of heat release rate was observed for this sample, 49% more than that of neat PLA, which was indicative of more gas and condensed phase reflected in more char residue. The corresponding PLA/APP sample, however, showed 17% improvement, as compared to neat PLA. Also, total heat release rate of PLA/APP/BSDH was 45 MJ.m^?2, whereas those of PLA and PLA/APP were 89 and 65 MJ.m^?2, respectively. BSDH and APP showed a synergistic effect on improving the flame retardancy of PLA composites.     

聚乳酸/苯基次膦酸铈复合材料的制备及性能

采用简单方法合成苯基次膦酸铈(CeP),并将其作为阻燃剂加入聚乳酸(PLA)中,通过熔融共混技术制备聚乳酸/苯基次膦酸铈(PLA/CeP)复合材料。通过热重(TG)、极限氧指数(LOI)、UL-94垂直燃烧(UL-94)、微型量热(MCC)研究复合材料的热稳定性、阻燃性能和燃烧性能。通过阻燃测试发现,CeP能够提高复合材料阻燃性能,PLA/CeP20极限氧指数能达到24.3%并通过UL-94 V-2级别。热重分析的结果表明,CeP显著提高了PLA/CeP复合材料初始分解温度和成炭率。MCC测试结果表明,CeP能明显降低PLA/CeP复合材料火灾危险性。PLA/CeP20热释放速率峰值(PHRR)和总热释放(THR)分别为397 W/g和13.6 kJ/g,与纯聚乳酸相比,分别下降了13.9%和28.0%。因此,苯基次磷酸铈对聚乳酸具有良好的阻燃效果。     

Improvement of the flame retardancy of plasticized poly(lactic acid) by means of phosphorus‐based flame retardant fillers

The aim of this study is to improve the flame resistance and toughness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with the addition of low amount of flame retardant fillers and plasticizer simultaneously. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was used as plasticizer for PLA. Ammonium polyphosphate, boron phosphate, and tri‐phenyl phosphate (TPP) were used as flame retardant additives. Among these flame retardant additives, boron phosphate was synthesized from its raw materials by using microwave heating technique. Characterization of PLA/PEG‐based flame retardant composites was performed by conducting tensile, impact, differential scanning calorimeter, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, limiting oxygen index, and UL‐94 vertical burning tests. Mechanical tests showed that the highest tensile strength, impact strength, and elongation at break values were obtained with the addition of ammonium polyphosphate and TPP into PLA/PEG matrix, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the composites exhibited that the more homogeneous filler distribution in the matrix was observed for TPP containing composite. The best flame retardancy performance was also provided by TPP when compared with the other flame retardant additives in the plasticized PLA‐based composites.     

Improved Mechanical Properties and Flame Retardancy of Wood/PLA All‐Degradable Biocomposites with Novel Lignin‐Based Flame Retardant and TGIC

In this study, a type of all‐degradable flame retardant wood/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposite (FPW) with low cost and excellent mechanical properties is prepared and studied. A novel lignin‐based phosphorus‐containing flame retardant (LMD) is synthesized first. PLA, wood powder, poly(butyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate), triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC), and LMD are then melt‐blended to prepare FPW. The limiting oxygen index value of PLAF25L15‐4T (25% of L15MD and 4% of TGIC) reaches 28.6%. Furthermore, the residue at 700 °C is up to 31.3%, which apparently helps to increase the flame retardancy of FPW. Its tensile strength is as high as 48.7 MPa. The interfacial compatibilization is much improved as proved by scanning electron microscopy observation. This should be due to the in situ interfacial reaction between PLA, wood, and TGIC, and the lignin component both in wood and LMD. The obtained PLA biocomposite with improved mechanical and flame retardant properties is promising for its wide applications.     

In situ polymerization of flame retardant modification polyamide 6,6 with 2-carboxy ethyl (phenyl) phosphinic acid

A novel halogen-free flame retardant copolyamide 6,6 (FR-PA66) was prepared successfully by in situ polymerizing with adipic acid hexamethylene salt and 2-carboxy ethyl (phenyl) phosphinic acid (CEPPA). The elemental composition and chemical structure of FR-PA66 were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and ¹³C Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The flame retardancy, thermal stability, and morphology of char residues were also investigated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL 94 test, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that FR-PA66 samples had much better flame retardancy and char formation ability than pure PA66 after the flame retardant modification. The LOI values were increased from 24.0 to 28.0% by adding 6 wt % of CEPPA and all FR-PA66 samples were rated as V-0 rating in UL-94 test. Furthermore, the thermal stability analysis indicated that in situ polymerization with CEPPA effectively decreased the initial decomposition temperature and increased the amount of char residue. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137, 48687.     

Effect of talc on thermal stability and flame retardancy of polycarbonate/PSBPBP composite

A novel flame retardant poly(3-aminopropyl methylsiloxane bis(3-hydroxy phenyl spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphate)) (PSBPBP) in combination with talc was blended into polycarbonate (PC) by melt compounding. The flame retardancy and thermal stability of PC/PSBPBP/talc composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, UL-94 rating test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy (RS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties were also measured in this work. Increasing talc content leads to observed improvement on flame retardancy of PC composites. LOI value of PC/PSBPBP/10 wt % talc system was 34, and this system passed V0 rating in the UL-94 test. The char yield at 700°C was 28.2% and the onset decomposition temperature shifted up to 540°C for PC/10% PSBPBP/10% talc system in TGA. In the Raman measure, the R value and G linewidth of PC/PSBPBP with 10 wt % talc composite increased to 1.41 and 65 cm⁻¹ from 1.12 and 43 cm⁻¹ of pure PC, respectively. The Raman results suggest that the char residue of PC/PSBPBP with talc composites was denser and had better barrier property, which is agreement with the SEM results. Besides, talc had no remarkable influence on the mechanical properties of PC/PSBPBP composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Mechanical,thermal and combustion properties of intumescent flame retardant biodegradable poly (lactic acid) composites

ABSTRACT

Despite extraordinary mechanical properties and excellent biodegradability, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) still suffers from a highly inherent flammability, restricting its applications in the electric and automobile fields. Although a wide range of flame retardants have been developed to reduce the flammability, they normally compromise the mechanical strength of PLA. In this study, a series of composites based on PLA, have been prepared by melt-blending with intumescent flame retardants (IFRs). The morphology, thermal stability and burning behaviour of the composites were investigated using a scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM–EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL-94) and the cone calorimeter test (CCT). The LOI value reached 38.5% and UL-94 could pass V-0 for the PLA/IFR composite containing only 12 wt-% IFR. The dispersion of IFR in PLA was observed using SEM–EDS. A significant improvement in fire retardant performance was observed for the PLA/IFR composite from the CCT (reducing the heat release rate and the total heat release). More importantly, compared to pure PLA, the addition of IFR did not seriously deteriorate the mechanical properties of the material.     

Crystallization,flame-retardant,and mechanical behaviors of poly(lactic acid)\9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide–calcium montmorillonite nanocomposite

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposite with 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) intercalated calcium montmorillonite (Ca-MMT) nanocompound was prepared, and the properties were compared with those of PLA/Ca-MMT, PLA/DOPO, and PLA/DOPO+Ca-MMT nanocomposites (where DOPO+Ca-MMT indicates a physical mixture of DOPO and Ca-MMT). The structures and properties of the four PLA nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI) testing, UL-94 vertical testing, and cone calorimetry measurements. The XRD and TEM tests showed that the DOPO–Ca-MMT nanocompound existed in both intercalated and exfoliated montmorillonite morphologies in the PLA matrix, a better dispersion state than the Ca-MMT added alone and DOPO+Ca-MMT in PLA; this benefited improvements in the crystallinity, thermal stability, and flame retardancy for the PLA/DOPO–Ca-MMT nanocomposite, as seen in the higher degree of crystallinity, higher LOI values, and lower peak heat-release rate. A loading of only 5 wt % DOPO–Ca-MMT increased the LOI value of PLA from 20.0 to 28.3% and made the PLA pass the UL-94 vertical test V-0 rating at a 3.2 mm thickness. The nanocomposites based on DOPO–Ca-MMT could be used as very efficient systems for flame-retardant PLA. The PLA/DOPO–Ca-MMT also had better tensile mechanical properties than the pure PLA and PLA/DOPO+Ca-MMT. The annealing specimens of the four nanocomposites were also characterized to study the relationship between the PLA crystallization and flame retardancy or mechanical properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46982.     

Synergistic effect between aluminum hypophosphite and a new intumescent flame retardant system in poly(lactic acid)

A hyperbranched charring agent (CT) was synthesized by triglycidyl isocyanurate and diethylenetriamine in water, and a new intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system was formed by ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and CT. The different formula and synergistic system between IFR and aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) have been studied through limit oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, cone calorimetry test and TGA. It was found that the LOI for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with 30 APP/CT (4:1) and 20 wt % IFR/AHP (3:1) were 41.2% and 43.5%, respectively, and the both could achieve UL‐94V‐0 rating with no melt dripping. The heat release rate (HRR), maximum HRR value and average mass loss rate of PLA could be dramatically decreased by combination of IFR and AHP while the thermal stability was greatly enhanced. The study of morphology and structure of char illustrated that more intumescent and compact char layer with good intensity was formed during the degradation of IFR/AHP, which resulting to better flame retardancy and anti‐dripping than IFR or AHP alone. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46359.     

The intumescent flame‐retardant biocomposites of poly(lactic acid) containing surface‐coated ammonium polyphosphate and distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS)

This work aims to develop the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites with high flame‐retardant performance, which can be applied in electronic and electrical devices as well as automotive parts. First, an intumescent flame retardant composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) as the acid source and the blowing agent, and the distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as the natural charring agent was designed. The surfaces of DDGS and APP were coated by degradable polymeric flame‐retardant resorcinol di(phenyl phosphate) (RDP), and the coating effects were analyzed. And then the flame‐retardant biocomposites of PLA with RDP‐coated DDGS (C‐DDGS) and RDP‐coated APP (C‐APP) were prepared. The limited oxygen index value of the biocomposites with loading of 15 wt% C‐DDGS and 15 wt% C‐APP reached 32.0%, and UL‐94 V‐0 was attained. The biocomposites also had good mechanical properties and the tensile strength of this sample reached about 57 MPa. Finally, the char residues after burning were analyzed and the flame‐retardant mechanism was discussed.     

壳聚糖改性聚乳酸的阻燃性能分析

为解决聚乳酸(PLA)易燃、熔滴等问题,以绿色天然高聚物壳聚糖为原料,采用甲磺酸、五氧化二磷、三聚氰胺对其改性,得到了一种绿色环保型阻燃剂———MPCS,与三聚氰胺聚磷酸盐(MPP)复配,形成了膨胀型阻燃剂(IFR)。将IFR、α-磷酸锆(α-ZrP)和PLA用转矩流动仪熔融共混制备了阻燃聚乳酸复合材料。采用傅立叶红外光谱(FT-IR)、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)对MPCS的结构进行了表征;用垂直燃烧法(UL-94)、锥形量热测试(CCT)、热重分析(TGA)及电子扫描电镜(SEM)研究了聚乳酸复合材料的阻燃性能及其阻燃机理。结果表明,当添加3%α-ZrP和22%IFR时,PLA复合材料的阻燃性能达到UL-94V-0级且无熔融滴落;由于α-ZrP具有片层阻隔作用和催化成炭作用,α-ZrP能提高PLA/IFR复合材料的阻燃效果,降低热释放量和烟密度。     

Synthesis of a phenylene phenyl phosphine oligomer and its flame retardancy for polycarbonate

A novel flame retardant, phenylene phenyl phosphine oligomer (PPPO) was synthesized and its chemical structure was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometer. PPPO was used to impart flame retardancy to polycarbonate (PC). Combustion behaviors and thermal degradation properties of PC/PPPO system were assayed by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), cone calorimeter test, and thermogravimetric analysis. PC/6 wt % PPPO passed UL‐94 V‐0 rating with 3.0 mm samples and the LOI value was 34.1%, and PC/8 wt % PPPO also passed UL‐94 V‐0 rating with 1.6 mm samples and the LOI value was 36.3%. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the char properties had crucial effects on the flame retardancy of PC. Mechanical properties and water resistance of PC/PPPO system were also measured. After water resistance test, PC/6 wt % PPPO with 3.0 mm samples and PC/8 wt % PPPO with 1.6 mm samples kept V‐0 rating and mass loss was only 0.2%. The results revealed that PPPO was an efficient flame retardant for PC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013