Self-Forming 3D Core–Shell Ceramic Nanostructures for Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Materials

The synthesis of aluminum phosphates-based composites has been widely studied during the past decade because of the promising industrial application of these materials. Here we show a simple one-pot heterogeneous precipitation approach to fabricate a sepiolite–phosphate (SepP) composite with adequate control of the size and dispersion of the phosphate nanoparticles. This coupling between aluminum phosphate and sepiolite nanofibers results in the development of a novel three-dimensional rigid supported phosphate structure, which is generated during the thermal treatment. According to our results, this phenomenon can be explained by a migration-coalescence mechanism of phosphate nanoparticles over the sepiolite support, assisted by a liquid phase. It is worth pointing out that this stimulant behavior observed here could have potential technological applications such as halogen-free flame retardant materials.