Preparation of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxy silane modified cellulose microcrystalline and their applications as flame retardant and reinforcing agents in epoxy resin

Cellulose microcrystalline (CMC), a linear polysaccharide with glucosidic bond, was successfully extracted from bamboo powder and modified by 3‐aminopropyltriethoxy silane coupling agent (KH550) to prepare KH550‐CMC. The prepared KH550‐CMC, in association with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), was introduced into epoxy resin (EP) by casting process to obtain flame retardant composites. The fire performance evaluation indicated that the presence of 10‐phr APP and 5‐phr KH550‐CMC in EP achieved the maximal LOI value of 28.9%, passed the UL‐94 V‐0 rating, and significantly decreased the peak heat release rate from 1055 kW/m 2 of neat EP to 286 kW/m 2 . The improved fire performance is due to the improvement of dispersity of CMC in EP matrix and formation of better char layer, thus protecting the matrix effectively. Moreover, the introduction of KH550‐CMC could also partly eliminate the negative influence of flame retardants on the mechanical properties of EP composites due to the strengthening effect of CMC and better interfacial compatibility after modification with KH550.