Abstract

In order to further the design and use of flame retardants with a lower environmental impact, a large number of available, eco-friendly, bio-based and biocompatible flame retardants have begun to be used. This study explores the synthesis of a novel phosphorus-nitrogen synergistic flame retardant (PMO) using bio-sourced phytic acid (PA) and enteromorpha prolifera (EP), along with mineral-based modified sepiolite (OSEP) and melamine (MEL), to investigate its flame retardant and smoke suppression effects on ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber (EPDM). Experimental results demonstrate that compared to pure EPDM, EPDM with 50 phr PMO achieves a V-0 rating in UL-94 tests, with an increased Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) to 31.1 %, Time to Ignition (TTI) extended from 6 s to 29 s, Peak Heat Release Rate (PHRR) reduced by 55.8 %, Total Heat Release (THR) decreased by 69.4 %, particularly Total Smoke Production (TSP) reduced by over 73 %, significantly enhancing the flame retardant performance of the rubber composite material. After loading with modified seafoam, the highly efficient PMO flame retardant was successfully prepared, which has a broad application prospect in general rubber materials.