Waste-to-resource strategy to fabricate environmentally benign flame retardants from waste phosphorus tailings

Abstract Environmentally benign magnesium hydroxide (MH) flame retardants with different morphologies were prepared from waste phosphorus tailings by a combination of acidolysis reaction and hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure and dispersibility of MH were characterized by X-ray power diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. The influences of the synthesized MH on the flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties of thermoplastic polyurethane were studied by cone calorimeter test and the flame retardant mechanism was discussed.