Recent advances in flame retardant epoxy systems containing non-reactive DOPO based phosphorus additives

Epoxy resins are widely used in the manufacturing of fire safety products industry. 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) is a commercially available non-toxic reactive flame retardant and its incorporation improves behavior epoxy systems by releasing active phosphorus species to gas phase. The reaction between DOPO oxirane moieties negatively affects glass transition temperature epoxy-based composites thus overcome this drawback, it usually modified obtain non-reactive derivatives (i.e. mono- multi derivatives). Besides, can also interact with surface silica- carbon based nanostructures, leading hybrid additives (“hybrid” term referred organic-inorganic structure such derivatives, which do not react directly polymer matrix). Non-reactive allow effective mechanism and, some –DOPO good mechanical performances for resin be realized. This review focuses primarily on technological advances last ten years (2011 onwards) systems. Though quite common additive industry, commercial exploitation there need develop economical alternative synthesis methodologies.