Effects of polyethyleneimine-functionalized MCM-41 on flame retardancy and thermal stability of polyvinyl alcohol

Hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI)-functionalized mesoporous silica (MCM@PEI) was synthesized and used to produce poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites. The modified nanofiller was characterized with infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption. When compared with pure mesoporous silica (MCM), the MCM@PEI nanoparticles exhibited better dispersion in the PVA matrix. The effects of MCM@PEI on the thermal and flame properties of PVA nanocomposites were also studied. Improvement in the thermal properties was confirmed by enhanced thermal stability and char yield. Incorporation of MCM@PEI in PVA led to a significant drop in the heat release rate and the total heat release.