Design of Non-halogen Flame Retardants Based on a Renewable Biomaterial

摘要

Organohalogen compounds, particularly brominated aromatics, have long been widely used; effective flame retardants for polymeric materials. Because of the widespread distributions of these compounds in the environment, their tendency to bioaccumulate, and the potential health risks that they might pose, these materials are coming under increaseing regulatory pressure around the world. Effective, environmentally friendly, low-cost replacements are needed. Phosphorus compounds seem to offer the greatest potential as replacements for organohalogen flame retardants. Ideally, these materials should be derived from a renewable resource, be nontoxic and readily degradable to innocuous products in the environment, i.e., they should be as "green" as possible. Tartaric acid is a renewable byproduct of the wine industry. It is an edible material containing a wealth of functionality (two hydroxyls, two carboxyls) which may be utilized for conversion to a variety of phosphorus compounds with potential flame-retarding capability.