biostudies-literatureLi FScientific Research and Technology Development Program of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionNanning Science and Technology Base ProjectNatural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region8204-8213https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10926111biostudies-literatureUnknown14(12)Currently, additively efficient flame retardants are being developed to enhance the smoke suppression, flame retardancy, and thermal properties of composite materials. To this end, the current study designed and prepared a novel P/N/Si/Zn-containing organic-inorganic hybrid denoted as APHZ. Its inorganic part was 2-methylimidazole zinc salt (ZIF-8), which improved its smoke suppression and catalytic carbonization. The organic part (P/N/Si-containing compound) promoted its flame retardancy and interfacial compatibility between APHZ and epoxy resin (EP). The test results revealed that EP/APHZ-3 composites achieved a V-0 rating and a notable LOI value of 30.7% when introducing 3 wt% APHZ into the EP matrix. Cone calorimetry tests (CCT) further demonstrated that the average heat release rate (av-HRR), total smoke production (TSP), and CO production (COP) of EP/APHZ-3 were reduced by 23.3%, 14.0%, and 21.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the char residual was increased by 60.6%, as compared to pure EP. Furthermore, the flame-retardant mechanism of EP/APHZ composites was investigated by the XPS, TG-FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The observed synergistic effect of the imidazole skeleton ZIF-8 and P/N/Si-containing compound in APHZ facilitated the generation of a dense multi-element char layer, with the condensed phase flame-retardant mechanism playing a dominant role. These findings contribute to developing and designing high-performance flame-retardant EP.RSC advancesA novel P/N/Si/Zn-containing hybrid flame retardant for enhancing flame retardancy and smoke suppression of epoxy resins.PMC10926111202210352023AB012742022GXNSFAA03556620231046Wu JHuang ZYu CRao WLi FYang MLiu CfalseA novel P/N/Si/Zn-containing hybrid flame retardant for enhancing flame retardancy and smoke suppression of epoxy resins.Currently, additively efficient flame retardants are being developed to enhance the smoke suppression, flame retardancy, and thermal properties of composite materials. To this end, the current study designed and prepared a novel P/N/Si/Zn-containing organic-inorganic hybrid denoted as APHZ. Its inorganic part was 2-methylimidazole zinc salt (ZIF-8), which improved its smoke suppression and catalytic carbonization. The organic part (P/N/Si-containing compound) promoted its flame retardancy and interfacial compatibility between APHZ and epoxy resin (EP). The test results revealed that EP/APHZ-3 composites achieved a V-0 rating and a notable LOI value of 30.7% when introducing 3 wt% APHZ into the EP matrix. Cone calorimetry tests (CCT) further demonstrated that the average heat release rate (av-HRR), total smoke production (TSP), and CO production (COP) of EP/APHZ-3 were reduced by 23.3%, 14.0%, and 21.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the char residual was increased by 60.6%, as compared to pure EP. Furthermore, the flame-retardant mechanism of EP/APHZ composites was investigated by the XPS, TG-FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The observed synergistic effect of the imidazole skeleton ZIF-8 and P/N/Si-containing compound in APHZ facilitated the generation of a dense multi-element char layer, with the condensed phase flame-retardant mechanism playing a dominant role. These findings contribute to developing and designing high-performance flame-retardant EP.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2025-04-22T16:21:06.704Z2025-04-06T01:42:06.2ZS-EPMC109261113846919010.1039/d4ra00166d