Zinc Hydroxystannate/Carbon Nanotube Hybrids as Flame Retardant and Smoke Suppressant for Epoxy Resins

Novel hybrid flame retardants containing zinc hydroxystannate and carbon nanotubes (ZHS-CNTs) were synthesized using the coprecipitation method, and the structure and morphology of ZHS-CNTs were investigate using an X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Then, the ZHS, CNTs and ZHS-CNTs were incorporated into EP, respectively, and the flame-retardant and smoke inhibition performance of the composites were compared and studied. Among the three composites, the EP/ZHS-CNT composites have the highest improvements on the fire resistance and smoke inhibition properties. With only 2.0 wt.% ZHS-CNT hybrids, the pHRR of EP/ZHS-CNT composite materials is reduced by 34.2% compared with EP. Moreover, the release of toxic gases including CO, CO₂ and SPR from the composites was also effectively inhibited. The mechanisms of flame retardant and smoke inhibition were investigated and the improved properties were generally ascribed to the synergistic flame-retardant effects between ZHS and CNTs, the catalyzing effect of ZHS and the stable network structure of CNTs.