Thermal decomposition and flame retardant behaviour of SiO2-phenolic nanocomposite

The present investigation describes the preparation of nano-SiO2-phenolic novolac resin nanocomposite through in situ polymerisation. CP MAS 13C NMR and FTIR analyses indicate the formation of chemical linkage between the inorganic and organic components. The decomposition temperature of the nanocomposite is ∼70 °C higher than the neat phenolic resin. The char content of the nanocomposite at any intermediate temperature is higher than that of neat resin. The limiting oxygen index value of the neat resin is 38 whereas it is 43 for the nanocomposite. So, the nanocomposite possesses excellent flame retardant property. Both the nanocomposite and the neat resin were isothermally pyrolysed and the products were separated and identified using GC–MS. The decomposition product analysis shows a difference in the decomposition product distribution. This variation is discussed in the light of the proposed structure for the SiO2-phenolic nanocomposite.