Characterizations of a new flame-retardant polymer

Poly(2-methacryloxyethyl phenyl phosphate) (PMEPP) was successfully obtained in a two-stage process by the bulk polymerization of 2-methacryloxyethyl phenyl phosphate (MEPP). The flame-retardant properties of PMEPP were studied with limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 tests, showing that PMEPP with a low flammability can effectively inhibit combustion. The result of energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) reveals that the condensed-phase protection plays an important role for the flame retardance of PMEPP, because most portion of phosphorus was retained in the char residue. The thermal characteristics of PMEPP were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The condensed-phase products at various temperatures during the thermal degradation of PMEPP were monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The volatilized products formed on thermal degradation of PMEPP were characterized by TGA/FT-IR technique, indicating that the volatilized products are phenol, aldehyde RCHO, CO2, CO, water and alkane according to the temperature of onset formation. We propose the possible mechanisms for the thermal degradation of PMEPP in accordance with the analytical results of condensed phase and volatilized products.