Two phosphorus-containing phenolic amines, a 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO)-based derivative (DAP) by covalently bonding DOPO and imine (SB) obtained from the condensation of p-phenylenediamine with salicylaldehyde, and its analog (AP) via the addition reaction between diethyl phosphite and SB, were used to prepare flame-retardant epoxy resins. The burning behaviors and dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy thermosets were studied by limited oxygen index (LOI) measurement, UL-94 test, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The flame-retardant mechanisms of modified thermosets were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, Py-GC/MS, Fourier transform infrared, SEM, elemental analysis, and laser Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed that epoxy thermoset modified with DAP displayed the blowing-out effect during UL-94 test. With the incorporation of 10 wt % DAP, the modified thermoset showed an LOI value of 36.1% and V-0 rating in UL-94 test. The flame-retardant mechanism was ascribed to the quenching and diluting effect in the gas phase and the formation of phosphorus-rich char layers in the condensed phase. However, the thermoset modified with 10 wt % AP only showed an LOI value of 25.7% and no rating in UL-94 test, which was possibly ascribed to the mismatching of charring process with gas emission process during combustion. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43953.

Expandable graphite (EG), dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), melamine (MEL), zinc borate (ZB), or magnesium hydroxide (MH) was separately added to polyurethane to form flame retardant flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) in one-step. The cell morphologies of the FPUF composites before and after burning were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), their flammability was evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests, and their thermal stability and evolved gaseous products were examined by thermogravimetric analysis-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR). The results indicated that all the five flame retardants could improve the flame retardant performance of FPUF on the basis of their own mechanism. DMMP possessed the highest flame retardant efficiency, and one of the important reasons was that it could promote the formation of char. EG could inhibit molten drop of FPUF during burning effectively. All the five flame retardants could decrease the maximum decomposition velocity mainly because of their heat absorption effect. ZB displayed an excellent inhibition ability for the release of the evolved gaseous products because of its adsorption effect. All the flame retardants except DMMP were capable to decrease the CO yield at the temperature (400°C) of maximum decomposition velocity for their respective mechanisms, but all of them were not able to inhibit CO generation at higher temperature (600°C). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2497–2507, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Expandable graphite (EG) and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) were added to polyurethane to form flame-retardant high-resilience flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) in one-step. The effects of EG and DMMP on cell morphology, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, thermal degradation, and flame-retardant properties of FPUF were studied. The results indicated that adding proper amount EG or/and DMMP would not seriously damage cell morphology and mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated that there were two tan δ peaks attributed to soft and hard segment seperately and 15 pbw EG or/and 15 pbw DMMP could enhance damping property of FPUF. Thermogravimetric analysis–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA–FTIR) results indicated that 15 pbw EG or 15 pbw DMMP could improve the thermal stability of the second degradation step but there were no synergistic effect between the two. DMMP made FPUF composites produce more toxic gases such as CO, however, EG displayed an opposite effect. Both EG and DMMP could effectively improve the flame retardant properties of FPUF, and there was synergistic effect between the two. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 916-926, 2013

The semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPPAm) was synthesized and fabricated into microporous membranes with temperature-sensitive breathability. The chemical and physical structure of the semi-IPN was investigated by FTIR and thermo analysis including DSC and DMA. The results proved that the glass transition temperature of TPU and the LCST of PNIPAAm were shifted in the semi-IPN, revealing the formation of interchain interactions among the molecular chains of TPU and PNIPAAm. The swelling measurements revealed that the semi-IPN shows volume phase transition behaviors. The semi-IPN was therefore fabricated into microporous membranes and its volume phase transition property was employed to endow the membrane with temperature-sensitive breathability. The water vapor permeability of the membranes was measured and found to be significantly dependent on the temperature, which was enhanced remarkably when the temperature went up. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Fluorine-free water repellent agent, AH102, was microencapsulated by interfacial polymerization with polyurethane as shell material to restrict its hydrolysis and improve its dispersibility in water. The appearance of the resultant microcapsules was characterized with optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Chemical structure of microcapsules was identified with Fourier-transforming infrared spectrometer. The size and size distribution of the microcapsules were determined by laser particle size analyzer. The thermal property of the microcapsules was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The stability and dispersibility of the microcapsules in aqueous medium were characterized by evaluating the static water contact angles of the treated cotton fabrics with the emulsions of unencapsulated and microencapsulated AH102 at different storage intervals. The results showed that AH102 was successfully encapsulated and its stability and dispersibility in water were greatly improved. As expected, the emulsion of the microencapsulated AH102 became more stable than that of the unencapsulated one at water repellence to cotton fabric with increasing storage intervals. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

In situ adsorption of monomers on fibers plays a key role in fabricating highly conductive polyaniline (PANI)-based textiles by two-stage oxidation polymerization. Experiments were conducted in aniline monomer and hydrochloric acid solution with the variables such as contact time, initial concentration, and temperature, which can enhance the equilibrium adsorption capacity to aniline of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers. Equilibrium data were fit well by a Henry partition-type isotherm equation. It was found that the kinetics of the adsorption of aniline onto PET fibers at different operating conditions was best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The rate parameters of the intraparticle diffusion model for adsorption were also evaluated and compared to identify the adsorption mechanisms. The monomer exhaustion increased with increasing the temperature. The value of electrical surface resistance of conductive textiles about 3.2 kΩ was obtained when the padder squeeze step was introduced, and the molar ratio of 0.6 between the oxidant concentration and the exhausted concentration of monomers at the adsorption equilibrium was applied. Scanning electron micrographs of PANI/PET composite surfaces were observed, conforming that smooth films were produced by surface polymerization of aniline monomers adsorbed previously on fibers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

The effective management and control of mosquitoes in human living environments are crucial to minimize vector-borne diseases in homes. Pesticides, such as pyrethroids, are considered powerful tools in the control of mosquitoes and are intended to be incorporated into textiles. The adsorptive behavior of the pesticide ZX-1 [the main component is 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane] in aqueous solution on polyesters fibers at different treatment times, temperatures, and concentrations are discussed in this article. The second-order model was found to be the most suitable for describing the kinetic diffusion process, and the intraparticle diffusion was the rate-controlling process. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich adsorption models were applied to these approaches. The results show that the Langmuir model appeared to fit the adsorption of ZX-1 on the polyester fibers better than other adsorption models. In addition, thermodynamic parameters, such as the free energy of adsorption (ΔG⁰), enthalpy (ΔH⁰), and entropy, were calculated. Positive values of ΔH⁰ and ΔG⁰ indicated the endothermic and nonspontaneous nature of ZX-1 adsorption on the polyester fibers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

To increase the performance of silk fabrics, especially their dyeability, a cationic modifying agent, 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl dodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (HSQA), was prepared in our laboratory. The dye behavior of the cationized silk was examined with five leveling-type acid dyes. Better color shades and good washing fastness were achieved after silk was cationized by HSQA, and it was possible to dye silk under neutral conditions at 70°C. The equilibrium adsorption isotherm and kinetic properties of the cationized silk dyed with CI Acid Orange 7 were investigated. The adsorption of CI Acid Orange 7 onto the HSQA-cationized silk was also in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm, with an enthalpy and an entropy of −20.13 kJ/mol and −30.06 J/mol K respectively. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model agreed well with the dynamic behaviors for the adsorption of CI Acid Orange 7 onto the cationized silk under neutral conditions, with the activation energy decreasing from 61.87 to 53.32 kJ/mol. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

Oriented ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared on cotton fabrics via a simple two-step process. The ZnO nanocrystals were first synthesized and coated onto cotton substrates by dip-pad-cure process as nucleation seeds, followed by hydrothermal ZnO growth in aqueous solution of zinc nitrate hydrate and hexamethylenetetramine. Field-emission scanning electron microscope images showed the typical ZnO nanorods were 40–60 nm in diameter and 300–400 nm in length. Meanwhile, a few mesoscale ZnO nanorods with diameter of 150–200 nm, length of 600–800 nm, and their congeries were also observed on the cotton fabrics. X-ray diffraction result and Raman spectrum indicated the as-prepared nanorods were of high quality and defect free with hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure. The as-obtained cotton sample was also characterized with energy dispersive spectroscopy and no impurities were detected. The ZnO nanorods grown on cotton fabrics possessed an ultrahigh ultraviolet protection factor of 379.14 in this study, indicating an excellent protection against ultraviolet radiation in comparison with the untreated cotton fabrics. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008