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Layered double hydroxide (LDH) is a promising flame-retardant nano-additive for polymers, however, its efficiency is highly based on its composition and dispersity. Based on this cognition, a core-shell LDH-based architecture (LDH@TA-HP) was designed using LDH sheet as core and tannic acid and phosphazene cross-linkd polymers network (TA-HP) as shell. In the flame retardant process, renewable tannic acid (TA) as a carbon source with phosphazene was combined to form an intumescent flame-retardant system, which synergizes with the "tortuous path" effect of LDH which greatly enhance the flame retardancy of PP and LDH@TA-HP composites (PP/LDH@TA-HP). With the addition of 20 wt% LDH@TA-HP, the peak heat release rate and total smoke production of the PP/LDH@TA-HP composites were decreased by 63.5% and 47.6%, respectively, in comparison with those of Neat PP. The flame retardant level reached UL-94 V-0 rating and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of PP/LDH@TA-HP composites reached 30.1%, which was related to the "tortuous path" effect of LDH and the formation of the intumescent char layer of TA-HP. This investigation provided a facile strategy for the design of multifunctional LDH-based hybrids, expanding LDH potential applications in polymer composites. [Display omitted] • A novel core-shell LDH-based flame retardant was prepared via a facile method. • LOI value of 20 wt% PP/LDH@TA-HP reached 30.1% and passed UL-94 V-0 rating. • TA-HP obviously enhanced the interaction between LDH@TA-HP and PP matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an interlayered/surface-modified flame retardant (LDHs@PA-MEL) was prepared via a one-pot method with phytic acid (PA), melamine (MEL), and layered double hydroxides (LDHs-C) and used as a novel flame retardant for polypropylene (PP). In LDHs@PA-MEL, PA and MEL self-assembled to form a PA-MEL supramolecular network for functionalization on the surface of LDHs-C, and phytate anions intercalated into the interlayer. The extreme dispersibility of LDHs@PA-MEL in PP is attributed to the dual modification of PA and MEL. With the addition of 20 wt%, the PP/LDHs@PA-MEL composites achieved the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 29.6%, whereas the PP/LDHs-C composites exhibited only LOI of 24.8%. The peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) for PP/LDHs@PA-MEL were 409 kW∙m−2, 70.3 MJ∙m−2, and 7.1 m2, respectively, which presented declines of 63.5%, 26.2% and 43.7% compared with those of Neat PP. The flame retardancy of LDHs@PA-MEL was mainly due to catalytic charring, release of non-combustible gases, and physical barrier effects. More specially, this work provides a feasible method for the preparation of high-performance PP composites. [Display omitted] • The flame retardant was synthesized by interlayered/surface dual modified LDHs. • A novel and renewable flame retardant of P/N-containing (LDHs@PA-MEL) was prepared. • One-pot method provided a feasible idea for efficient preparation of modified LDHs. • PP/LDHs@PA-MEL (20 wt%) increased the LOI to 29.6% and passed the UL-94 V-0 rating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]