Development and characterization of novel DOPO based phosphorus tetraglycidyl epoxy nanocomposites for aerospace applications

► Novel DOPO based phosphorus tetraglycidyl epoxy nanocomposites were developed for aerospace applications. ► Synthesis and characterization studies were carried out. Nano-reinforcements were incorporated and curing was done. ► Excellent results were obtained in the mechanical studies. The nanocomposites developed were flame retardant and hydrophobic. They were also found to possess excellent insulative characteristics. A study was made in the present investigation on the development and characterization of 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) based phosphorus tetraglycidyl epoxy nanocomposites and to find its suitability for use in aerospace and high performance applications. Phosphorus-containing diamine (DOPO–NH 2) was synthesized from 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and 4,4′-diaminobenzophenone (DABP), and this is utilized for the preparation of DOPO based phosphorus containing tetraglycidyl epoxy denoted as ‘D’. The synthesized resin was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Nanoclay and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-amine nano-reinforcements denoted as N1 and N2 were incorporated into the synthesized epoxy resin. Curing was done with diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and bis(3-aminophenyl) phenylphosphine oxide (BAPPO) curing agents denoted as X and Y respectively. Mechanical, thermal, flame retardant, water absorption behaviour and electrical properties of the epoxy nanocomposites were studied and the results are discussed.