The synthesis and characterization of a novel phosphorus–nitrogen containing flame retardant and its application in epoxy resins

A novel, halogen‐free, phosphorus–nitrogen containing flame retardant 2[4‐(2,4,6‐Tris{4‐[(5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2λ⁵‐[1,3,2]dioxaphosphinan‐2‐yl)hydroxymethyl]phenoxy}‐(1,3,5)‐triazine (TNTP) was successfully synthesized in a three‐step process, and characterized by FTIR, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectra, and elemental analysis. A series of modified DGEBA epoxy resin with different loadings of TNTP were prepared and cured by 4,4‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS). Thermal gravimetric analysis and vertical burning test (UL‐94) were used to evaluate the flame retardancy of TNTP on DGEBA epoxy resin. The results showed that TNTP had a great impact on flame retardancy. All modified thermosets by using TNTP exhibited higher T_g than pure DGEBA/DDS. The loading of TNTP at only 5.0 wt % could result in satisfied flame retardancy (UL‐94, V‐0) together with high char residue (27.3%) at 700°C. The addition of TNTP could dramatically enhance the flame retardancy of DGEBA epoxy resins, which was further confirmed by the analysis of the char residues by scanning electron microscopy and FTIR. Furthermore, no obviously negative effect was found on the Izod impact strength and flexural property of DGEBA epoxy resins when TNTP loading limited in 5.0 wt %. DGEBA/DDS containing 2.5 wt % TNTP could enhance Izod impact strength from 10.47 to 10.94 kJ m^?2, and showed no appreciable effect on the flexural property (85.20 MPa) comparing with pure DGEBA/DDS (87.03 MPa). Results indicated that TNTP as a phosphorus–nitrogen synergistic intumescent flame retardant could be used for DGEBA epoxy resin. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41079.