Preparation and thermodynamic characterization of 2CaO·B2O3·H2O nanomaterials with enhanced flame retardant properties

Calcium borate 2CaO·B2O3·H2O nanoflake (b) and nanobelt (d) have been prepared and characterized. With the decrease of TG mass loss, the decrease of heat release for DSC, the increase of LOI values, and the increase of apparent activation energy Ea, the flame retardant properties of prepared 2CaO·B2O3·H2O samples are increased gradually from non-nanostructure to nanobelts then to nanoflakes. The possible flame retarding mechanism has been proposed. It can be predicted that 2CaO·B2O3·H2O nanoflakes could serve as a potential flame retardant.