Synthesis of renewable furan-based phosphate and the superior flame retardancy in biodegradable polylactide

Currently, it has long been considered a challenge to provide sustainable additives for polylactide (PLA) in green way to endow it excellent comprehensive properties. Given the flammability and unsatisfactory crystallization performance of PLA, a furan-based phosphate furfurylamine trimethylphosphate (FATMP) was synthesized from 2-furfurylamine and amino trimethylphosphonic acid by a simple hydration reaction, and the PLA/FATMP composites were prepared by melting blending process. The tensile performance, crystallization behaviors, flame retardancy, and flame-retardant mechanism received special attention. Results showed that the incorporation of only 3 wt% FATMP could indeed increase the LOI value of PLA from 19.8 to 27.3 %, and simultaneously acquired V-0 rating in the vertical burning test owing to the favorable synergistic effect between the vapor phase and the condensed phase. Additionally, the half-crystallization time of PLA was decreased from 12.4 to 5.1 mins with the addition of FATMP, which acted as a nucleating agent. More appealingly, the tensile performance of PLA/FATMP composites was also well maintained. In general, the PLA/FATMP composites we proposed could be promising candidates in application fields where favorable flame retardancy and crystallization ability are required.