In Situ-Generated Heat-Resistant Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework for Remarkably Improving Both Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Composites

In this study, the heat-resistant hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) material HOF-FJU-1 was synthesized via in situ generation and then used as flame retardants (FRs) to improve the flame retardancy of epoxy resin (EP). HOF-FJU-1 can maintain high crystallinity at 450 °C and thus function as a flame retardant in EP. The study found that HOF-FJU-1 facilitates the improvement of char formation in EP, thus inhibiting heat transfer and smoke release during combustion. For EP/HOF-FJU-1 composites, the in situ-generated HOF-FJU-1 can remarkably improve both the mechanical properties and the flame retardancy of EP. Furthermore, the in situ-generated HOF-FJU-1 has better fire safety than the ex situ-generated HOF-FJU-1 at the same filling content. Thermal degradation products and flame retardation mechanisms in the gas and condensed phases were further investigated. This work demonstrates that the in situ-generated HOF-FJU-1 is promising to be an excellent flame-retardant candidate.