Synergistic effect of layered double hydroxide and montmorillonite: Towards super-efficient fireproofing of leather

In this paper, high efficiency fire safety leather was obtained by synergistic flame retardant system of montmorillonite (Mt) and layered double hydroxide (LDH). Acetone organic modified MgAl LDH (O-LDH) and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride intercalation organic modified montmorillonite (O-Mt) was prepared. Organic modified layered materials O-LDH and O-Mt were introduced into modified zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil (MZBMSO) to prepared MZBMSO/O-LDH and MZBMSO/O-Mt composites, respectively. Then they were treated leather together, and effectively improved the flame retardant performance. When the dosage ratio of MZBMSO/O-LDH to MZBMSO/O-Mt was 1:3, the results of vertical combustion showed that the leather would self-extinguish after the fire source was removed, and the limit oxygen index (LOI) could reach at 33.8%. The mechanism of flame retardation was discussed, it had a good protective effect on leather collagen fibers due to the synergistic effect of O-LDH and O-Mt. This work provided a novel synergistic flame retardant system strategy for the preparation of flame retardant leather, improving the safety and application range of leather products. • A synergistic flame retardant system based on LDH and Mt was prepared. • MZBMSO/O-LDH and MZBMSO/O-Mt synergistic improved the flame retardant performance of leather. • The leather had the self-extinguishing behavior treated by O-LDH and O-Mt and the LOI reached at 33.8%. • It provided a new way to produce high efficiency fire safety leather.