Halogen‐free flame‐retardant waterborne polyurethane with a novel cyclic structure of phosphorus−nitrogen synergistic flame retardant

A novel phosphorus−nitrogen flame retardant, octahydro‐2,7‐di(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐1,6,3,8,2,7‐dioxadiazadiphosphecine (ODDP), with bi‐phosphonyl in a cyclic compound, was synthesized by the reaction of POCl 3 , NH(CH 3 ) 2 ·HCl with OHCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 in CH 2 Cl 2 solution, and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrum. ODDP has been successfully reacted with polyurethane (PU) as a chain extender to prepare phosphorus–nitrogen synergistic halogen‐free flame‐retardant waterborne PU (DPWPU). Limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy suggest the excellent flame retardancy of the DPWPU polymer. When the content of ODDP was 15 wt %, the LOI of DPWPU was 30.6% and UL‐94 achieved a V‐0 classification. Compared with the unmodified WPU, the thermodecomposition temperature of the DPWPU was reduced and the amount of carbon residue was increased to 18.18%. The surface of carbon residue was shown to be compact and smooth without holes, which would be favorable for resisting oxygen and heat.