Synthesis of a novel DOPO‐based polyphosphoramide with high char yield and its application in flame‐retardant epoxy resins

A novel and highly effective flame retardant (FR), DOPO‐TPMP oligomer, was synthesized by a simple condensation of 4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐1‐oxide and phosphorus oxychloride followed by a polycondensation reaction with 6‐(2,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐6H‐dibenzo[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinine‐6‐oxide. The chemical structure of DOPO‐TPMP was well characterized using Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectra. DOPO‐TPMP was used as an additive‐type FR for epoxy resin (EP). The FR properties of the resultant EP composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, UL‐94 vertical burning test and cone calorimeter measurements. Specifically, the EP composite containing 10.0% DOPO‐TPMP achieved a LOI value of 36.1%, V‐0 rating in the UL‐94 test and a 58% reduction in peak heat release rate. Further mechanism analysis attributed the enhanced flame retardancy to the increased char yield on the addition of DOPO‐TPMP.