Preparation and Characterization of DOPO-ITA Modified Ethyl Cellulose and Its Application in Phenolic Foams

In order to improve the performance of phenolic foam, an additive compound of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and Itaconic acid (ITA) were attached on the backbone of ethyl cellulose (EC) and obtained DOPO-ITA modified EC (DIMEC), which was used to modify phenolic resin and composite phenolic foams (CPFs). The structures of DOPO-ITA were verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). The molecular structure and microstructure were characterized by FT-IR spectra and SEM, respectively. Compared with EC, the crystallinity of DIMEC was dramatically decreased, and the diffraction peak positions were basically unchanged. Additionally, thermal stability was decreased and T_i decreased by 24 °C. The residual carbon (600 °C) was increased by 25.7%. With the dosage of DIMEC/P increased, the E values of DIMEC composite phenolic resins were increased gradually. The reaction orders were all non-integers. Compared with PF, the mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and the residual carbon (800 °C) of CPFs were increased. The cell size of CPFs was less and the cell distribution was relatively regular. By comprehensive analysis, the suitable dosage of DIMEC/P was no more than 15%.