Production of nano zinc borate (4ZnO·B2O3·H2O) and its effect on PVC

In this study, nano sized zinc borate powder with a formula of 4ZnO·B2O3·H2O was synthesized using 2ZnO·3B2O3·3.0–3.5H2O as a starting chemical which was produced using a wet chemical method. After dissolving 2ZnO·3B2O3·3.0–3.5H2O in an ammonia solution, the clear solution was boiled until a white powder formed. The resultant powder was characterized with XRD, FTIR, TGA and TEM. XRD, FTIR and TGA results proved that the powder was belonged to the 4ZnO·B2O3·H2O. Nano composites of 4ZnO·B2O3·H2O–polyvinylchloride (PVC) were produced by injection moulding by adding 1 and 5 wt% zinc borate powders into PVC to enhance its flame retardancy. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of virgin PVC increased from 41% to 47% and 54% for the 1 and 5 wt% zinc borate added PVC, respectively. Nano zinc borate addition into the PVC does not have considerable negative effect on the mechanical properties of zinc borate–PVC composites even at high amounts of 5 wt%.