AN EFFICIENT APPROACH FOR THE PREPARATION OF FLAME-RETARDANT NANOCOMPOSITE POLYMERIC MATERIALS BASED ON HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE AND MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE

A novel approach for the development of nanocomposite materials based on high-density polyethylene and an inorganic flame retardant, magnesium hydroxide, via the fundamental strategy of environmental crazing of polymers has been advanced. Efficient methods for incorporation of magnesium nitrate as a precursor into mеsoporous polymeric matrixes have been proposed, and the optimal conditions providing high-conversion in situ hydrolysis of magnesium salt to magnesium hydroxide within the confined space of mesopores of polymeric matrixes have been found. As a result of in situ hydrolysis, spherical or needle-like nanoparticles of magnesium hydroxide are found to be uniformly distributed within the volume of the high-density polyethylene matrix. The resultant nanocomposite polymeric materials with the low content of nanoparticles of magnesium hydroxide (below 30 wt. %) are characterized by reduced flammability and mechanical characteristics that are comparable to those of the initial polymer.