Polyaniline as a dual flame retardant and electrostatic dissipative additive in polyethylene nanocomposites

Abstract

Polyolefins, such as polyethylene (PE), are highly flammable and electrically insulative, limiting their applicability. The study explored the flame-retardancy and electrical conductivity of PE/polyaniline (PE/PANI) nanocomposites containing undoped PANI, PANI doped, and co-doped with various acids and PANI modified with a double layered hydroxide or ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The nanocomposites were synthesized through in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline and compression molding. Flame retardancy was evaluated using UL 94 tests and cone calorimetry. All nanocomposites, except the de-doped PANI nanocomposite, attained a UL 94 V2 rating. Cone calorimeter results showed that PANI doped with H₃PO₄ reduced the peak heat release rate by 20% compared to neat PE, whereas co-doping PANI with H₃PO₄ and phytic acid reduced it by 31%. The nanocomposites exhibited volume resistivity for suitable for electrotactic dissipation applications but showed marginally reduced mechanical properties. This study demonstrates the potential to develop electrostatic dissipative and flame-retardant PE nanocomposites incorporating PANI.

Highlights

• PE/PANI nanocomposites were synthesized.
• PANI doped with H₃PO₄ reduced the peak HRR by 20%.
• Co-doping PANI with H₃PO₄ and phytic acid further reduced peak HRR.
• Nanocomposites attained a UL 94 V2 rating.
• PE/PANI nanocomposites were electrostatic dissipative.