Preparation and characterization of aluminum hypophosphite/reduced graphene oxide hybrid material as a flame retardant additive for PBT

Summary Aluminum hypophosphite/reduced graphene oxide (AHP/RGO) hybrid flame retardant with high thermal stability was successfully prepared by a one‐step method consisting of the simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide and the deposition of AHP on graphene. The as‐prepared sample was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The obtained sample was used as a flame retardant for polybutylene terephthalate, and the flame retardancy of the composites was investigated by a limiting oxygen index test, a UL‐94 test, and cone calorimetry. The results showed that AHP/RGO exhibited improved flame retardancy when compared with bare AHP. The addition of AHP/RGO to polybutylene terephthalate led to a significant reduction in the heat release rate and resulted in excellent anti‐dripping properties for the composites.