Influence of Iron Hydroxyl Phosphate Particles on the Thermal Stability and Combustible Properties of Polymethyl methacrylate

Abstract

The iron hydroxyl phosphate Fe3.6Fe1.02(OH)2.17(PO4)3O0.84(FePOH) nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method at a relative low temperature. The iron hydroxyl phosphate nanoparticles were then incorporated into poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by in situ radical polymerization. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data showed that the presence of FePOH remarkably improved thermal stability and promoted the formation of char residues of PMMA matrix. For the PMMA in combination with 6 % FePOH, the heat release capacity which is an indicator of a material fire hazard was reduced by 48 %. The residue characterization and thermogravimetric analysis/fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TGA-FTIR) revealed the carbonization behavior of iron hydroxyl phosphate in PMMA matrix and probably the appearance of Fe(CO)5 during the thermal decomposition of PMMA/2 %FePOH composite, which may is the reason for the improvement in the thermal and combustion properties.