Topic of Research Seminar: Flame Retardant Nanocomposites of Polystyrene-Modified Sepiolite Clay

Abstract: Flame retardancy and fire resistivity are the properties that are highly demanded when it comes to deal with polymers and plastics in different industries. In this research, general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and sepiolite clay (SP) are melt blended together to fabricate flame retardant nanocomposites. Initially, sepiolite clay is successfully modified by using vinyl tri-ethoxy silane (VTES), for enhancing its compatibility and adaptability in polystyrene matrix. Structural analysis were performed with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, which confirms the sepiolite modification and good interfacial interactions among the modified sepiolite clay (m-SP) and polymer matrix. Morphological analysis of the fabricated nanocomposites were carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a result of better clay dispersion in polymer matrix and intermolecular interactions, mechanical properties are also improved. The incorporation of 4 wt. % m-SP caused an increase of 15% in the tensile strength and 25% in the Young’s modulus of polystyrene nanocomposites. The standard procedure (ASTM D4986-20) was followed for observing the flame retardancy of the fabricated nanocomposites. Tangible decrease is noted upto 48% in burning rate of the optimum sample which reflects improvement in flame retardancy of the fabricated nanocomposite.

Keywords- polystyrene; sepiolite clay; nanocomposites; flame retardancy.

Subject Field of Topic: Polymer Nanoomposite

Name of Speaker: Shafi Ur Rehman

Professorial Rank of Speaker: PhD scholar

University Email of Speaker: [email protected]

Affiliation of Speaker: School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (SCME-NUST)

Date and Venue: September 26, 2023, at 1400 hrs, Seminar Hall, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, NUST Islamabad Campus