Nanocomposites and Blends of Biocatalytically Synthesized Organosilicone Co-Polymers for Flame Retardant Applications

The great synthetic flexibility of organosilicone polymers, their ease of processing, low cost, and nontoxic nature present an attractive alternative solution over current flame retardant materials. Novozyme-435 catalyzed amidation reaction with silicone-based oligomer was carried out to scale up the synthesis of co-polymer which was fully characterized from its detailed spectroscopic studies. Synthesized co-polymer was compounded in polyolefins for flame retardant applications. Nanoclay [Cloisite 20A, 2C18 MMT (dimethylditallowammonium-/dimethyldioctadecylammonium-modified montmorillonite)] was used as a potential additive in co-polymer, which was then blended with polyolefins to improve their thermal as well as flame retardant properties. The present work provides an initial exciting basis for the enzymatic synthesis of silicon based co-polymers in bulk and their flame retardant applications.