Flame retardancy and recyclability are two important issues in the research field of thermosets, particularly for epoxy resin (EP) with the biggest market share. It is of great importance, but rarely achievable, to integrate these properties simultaneously into EP. Herein, we report a way to prepare intrinsically flame retardant epoxy resin (FREP) which can be depolymerized efficiently into the corresponding monomers under mild conditions with high yield by introducing itaconic acid-derived hyperbranched epoxy resin (IA-EHBP) and hexahydro-s-triazine derivative curing agent (HT-BM). Due to the addition of IA-EHBP with hyperbranched topological structure, the formation of ion pairs and clusters serves as additional ion cross-links and reinforcing points to enhance the strength and toughness of FREP. The obtained FREP exhibits high impact strength (18.62kJ/m2), tensile strength (130.96 MPa), flexural strength (92.62 MPa) and fracture toughness KIC (2.15 kJ/m1/2). Moreover, FREP demonstrated desirable thermal stability and excellent flame retardancy with UL-94 V-0 rating, and high LOI of ~36.2%. Also, the value of the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and the total heat release (THR) showed 29% and 33% reduction, respectively. The design of FREP provide a prime example to foster the cyclic utilization of flame-retardant thermosetting polymers.

Itaconic acid-derived hyperbranched epoxy resin for closed-loop recyclable flame retardant epoxy resins with extremely flame retardancy and mechanical performance

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