Fire properties of silylated α‐zirconium phosphate composites based on polystyrene

α‐zirconium phosphate (ZrP) (prepared by both reflux and hydrothermal methods) is silylated with chlorotrimethylsilane and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Polystyrene/silylated‐ZrP composites show higher thermal stability as the ZrP content increases. Cone calorimetry suggests that the reduction of the peak heat release rate of polystyrene (PS)/ZrP composites does not increase as the ZrP loading increases; the aspect ratio of ZrP has little effect in fire performance of PS/ZrP composites.