Transparent UV-cured Phosphorus/Nitrogen Hybrid Coating for Simultaneously Enhancing Flame Retardancy and Surface Hardness of Polycarbonate

Jing Gao; Liang Chen; Liang-Yuan Qi; Su-Hong Li; Yuan Hu; Xin Wang; Lian-Min Ji; Ying-Jian Wang; Wei-Yi Xing

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3654-1

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

Transparent UV-cured Phosphorus/Nitrogen Hybrid Coating for Simultaneously Enhancing Flame Retardancy and Surface Hardness of Polycarbonate

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-07-02

- Transparent UV-cured Phosphorus/Nitrogen Hybrid Coating for Simultaneously Enhancing Flame Retardancy and Surface Hardness of Polycarbonate
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 8, Pages: 2670-2680(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
  b.School of Intelligent Engineering and Automation, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 102206, China
  c.Key Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai 810008, China
- Author bio：
  
  wangyingjian@bupt.edu.cn (Y.J.W.)
  xingwy@ustc.edu.cn (W.Y.X.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3654-1
  CLC：
- Received：05 January 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-02-13，
  
  Accepted：10 March 2026，
  
  Online First：02 July 2026，
  
  Published：15 August 2026
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Gao, J.; Chen, L.; Qi, L. Y.; Li, S. H.; Hu, Y.; Wang, X.; Ji, L. M.; Wang, Y. J.; Xing, W. Y. Transparent UV-cured phosphorus/nitrogen hybrid coating for simultaneously enhancing flame retardancy and surface hardness of polycarbonate. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2670–2680

Jing Gao, Liang Chen, Liang-Yuan Qi, et al. Transparent UV-cured Phosphorus/Nitrogen Hybrid Coating for Simultaneously Enhancing Flame Retardancy and Surface Hardness of Polycarbonate[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2670-2680.
Gao, J.; Chen, L.; Qi, L. Y.; Li, S. H.; Hu, Y.; Wang, X.; Ji, L. M.; Wang, Y. J.; Xing, W. Y. Transparent UV-cured phosphorus/nitrogen hybrid coating for simultaneously enhancing flame retardancy and surface hardness of polycarbonate. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2670–2680 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3654-1.

Jing Gao, Liang Chen, Liang-Yuan Qi, et al. Transparent UV-cured Phosphorus/Nitrogen Hybrid Coating for Simultaneously Enhancing Flame Retardancy and Surface Hardness of Polycarbonate[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2670-2680. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3654-1.

摘要

Using UV curing technology

transparent flame-retardant coatings with an average transmittance exceeding 90% were formed on the surface of polycarbonate films. MAAR-P

enables 0.5 mm thick polycarbonate film to achieve a UL-94 vertical burning rating of V-0.

Abstract

The flame-retardant monomer PG (P) was synthesized from diethylphosphinic acid and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). Simultaneously

the phosphorus-containing flame-retardant monomer

TAEP (T)

was synthesized from phosphorus oxychloride and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. A 50 µm thick transparent UV-cured coating

designated MAAR-P

was successfully constructed on 0.5 mm thick polycarbonate (PC) films by blending PG and TAEP with melamine acrylate resin (MAAR). The fabricated coating demonstrated a high transmittance of 91.9% in the visible-light spectrum. The incorporation of monofunctional PG effectively regulated the system viscosity and mitigated curing shrinkage stress. Furthermore

the synergistic action of phosphorus in different valence states and nitrogen from MAAR imparted a dual gas-phase-condensed phase flame-retardant mechanism to the coating

enabling the PC substrate to attain a V-0 rating in the UL-94 vertical burning test. This research indicates that the MAAR-P

coating engineered

via

molecular design and component optimization concurrently overcomes the limitations

of PC

namely its low surface hardness and inherent flammability. A straightforward and efficient preparation strategy provides a practical approach for transparent flame-retardant coatings for electronic and electrical applications.

关键词

Keywords

references

Skafi, Z.; Castriotta, L. A.; Taheri, B.; Matteocci, F.; Fahland, M.; Jafarzadeh, F.; Joseph, E.; Chakraborty, A.; Singh, V.; Mottaghitalab, V.; Mivehi, L.; Brunetti, F.; Sorbello, L.; Di Carlo, A.; Brown, T. M. Flexible perovskite solar cells on polycarbonate film substrates. Adv. Energy Mater. 2024 , 14 , 2400912..

Chen, P.; Jin, J.; Zhu, Y.; Lei, Y.; Ye, X.; Dai, W.; Gu, C.; Liu, M.; Huang, X.; Wang, D. Ton-scal e industrial optical polycarbonate film: combining full-color phosphorescence and various photochromic. Adv. Sci. 2025 , 12 , e17170..

Xing, D.; Lu, L.; Teh, K. S.; Wan, Z.; Xie, Y.; Tang, Y. Highly flexible and ultra-thin Ni-plated carbon-fabric/polycarbonate film for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding. Carbon 2018 , 132 , 32−41..

Deng, P.; Chen, L.; Li, Y.; Liu, B. W.; Wang, X. L.; Wang, Y. Z. Selectively self-recyclable, highly transparent and fire-safe polycarbonate plastic enabled by thermally responsive phosphonium-phosphate. Mater. Horiz. 2024 , 11 , 6516−6524..

Kua, H. W.; Lu, Y. Environmental impacts of substituting tempered glass with polycarbonate in construction – An attributional and consequential life cycle perspective. J. Clean. Prod. 2016 , 137 , 910−921..

Wei, Y. X.; Deng, C.; Zhao, Z. Y.; Wang, Y. Z. A novel organic-inorganic hybrid SiO2@DPP for the fire retardance of polycarbonate. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2018 , 154 , 177−185..

Wang, X.; Ren, J.; Liu, P.; Wa ng, Z.; Ma, X.; Zhu, H.; Ma, Z.; Sun, Y.; Hu, Z. Study on the performance and mechanism of sulfonate phosphazene high-efficiency flame retardant polycarbonate. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2025 , 142 , e57156..

Yang, Y.; Kong, W.; Cai, X. Two phosphorous-containing flame retardant form a novel intumescent flame-retardant system with polycarbonate. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2016 , 134 , 136−143..

Wu, X.; Zhang, W.; Qin, Z.; Yang, R. Facile preparation of ladder aluminosilsesquioxanes with high flame retardancy for polycarbonate. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2024 , 222 , 110694..

Liu, Z.; Ma, M.; Du, K.; Wang, H.; Yan, Z.; Chen, S.; Shi, Y.; He, H.;Zhu, Y.; Wang, X. Sulfonyl-containing polycarbonate copolymer: ultra-thin flame-retardant, transparency, and high notched impact toughness. Small 2025 , 21 , e07493..

Zhang, J.; Liu, Z.; Qi, P.; Liu, J.; Sun, J.; Gu, X.; Li, H.; Zhao, J.; Zhang, S. Rapid-curing imidazole-based highly transparent protective coating for polycarbonate films with good hardness and flame retardancy. Prog. Org. Coat. 2024 , 189 , 108289..

Feng, Z.; Cai, W.; Gao, J.; Jiang, G.; Qi, L.; Li, J.; Hu, Y.; Chu, F.; Xing, W. Achieving scratch resistance and flame retardancy in transparent polycarbonate through P/N/Si synergistic coating. Prog. Org. Coat. 2025 , 204 , 109247..

Bazheva, R. C.; Kharaev, A. M.; Bazhev, A. Z.; Inarkieva, Z. I.; Beslaneeva, Z. L. Flame-resistant Copolycarbonates. Int. Polym. Sci. Technol. 2017 , 44 , 21−26..

Hou, S.; Zhang, Y. J.; Jiang, P. Phosphonium sulfonates as flame retardants for polycarbonate. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2016 , 130 , 165−172..

Liu, C.; Yao, Q. Design and synthesis of efficient phosphorus flame retardant for polycarbonate. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2017 , 56 , 8789−8796..

Ni, P.; Fang, Y.; Qian, L.; Qiu, Y. Flame-retardant behavior of a phosphorus/silicon compound on polycarbonate. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 45815..

Li, X.; Cao, F.; Peng, M.; Ai, J.; Zhang, Y.; Ding, C.;Ye, N.; Chen, P.; Zhao, H. Recent prog ress in flame retardant technology for polycarbonate: advancing from halogenated to halogen-free and PFAS-free solutions. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2025 , 143 , e58149..

Sai, T.; Ran, S.; Guo, Z.; Yan, H.; Zhang, Y.; Wang, H.; Song, P.; Fang, Z. Transparent, highly thermostable and flame retardant polycarbonate enabled by rod-like phosphorous-containing metal complex aggregates. Chem. Eng. J. 2021 , 409 , 128223..

Wang, Z.; Qiu, Y.; Liu, A.; Tang, W.; Xi, W.; Wang, J.; Gao, L. B.; Qian, L.Micro-crosslinking of phosphaphenanthrene/siloxane molecule initiate aggregation flame retardant and toughening enhancement effects on its polycarbonate composite. Chem. Eng. J. 2023 , 466 , 143169..

[Yin, Z. Z.; Ma, J. M.; Zhao, B.; Yan, H.; Zhang, C. Y. PVA-based hydrogen-bonded supramolecular adhesive with core–shell nanoarchitectures for multifunctional and sustainable applications. J. Adv. Res . 2025 ..

Liu, C.; Huang, T. T.; Yang, K.; Zhang, C. Y.; Yan, H.; Zhao, B. One-step construction of a phosphazene-based hybrid coating for flame-retardant, antimicrobial, and hydrophobic viscose fabric. Surf. Coat. Technol. 2025 , 516 , 1327 69..

Liu, N.; Liu, Q.; Lozano, J. S.; Shu, L.; Zhang, L.; Zhu, J.; Deng, Z.; Satoh, K. Global burning rate of square fire arrays: experimental correlation and interpretation. Proc. Combust. Inst. 2009 , 32 , 2519−2526..

Qian, Z.; Zou, B.; Xiao, Y.; Qiu, S.; Xu, Z.; Yang, Y.; Jiang, G.; Zhang, Z.; Song, L.; Hu, Y. Targeted modification of black phosphorus by MIL-53(Al) inspired by “Cannikin's Law” to achieve high thermal stability of flame retardant polycarbonate at ultra-low additions. Compos. Part B Eng. 2022 , 238 , 109943..

Hilt, F.; Gherardi, N.; Duday, D.; Berné, A.; Choquet, P. Efficient flame retardant thin films synthesized by atmospheric pressure PECVD through the high co-deposition rate of hexamethyldisiloxane and triethylphosphate on polycarbonate and polyamide-6 substrates. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2016 , 8 , 12422−12433..

Li, Y.; Niu, H. X.; Jiang, H. R.; Ma, C.; Yan, Y.; Shi, H. J.; Zhou, K. S.; Hu, Y.; Wang, X. Cardanol-derived phosphorus-containing acrylates as UV-curable, highly transparent and flame retardant coatings for polycarbonate. Ind. Crops Prod. 2025 , 233 , 121386..

Zhang, W.; Feng, Z.; Chen, Z.; He, L.; Qi, L.; Hu, Y.; Gui, Z.; Xing, W. Phosphorus-nitrogen synergistic transparent UV-curable coatings to enhance the flame retardancy of polycarbonate. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2024 , 225 , 110782..

Qi, L.; Qiu, S.; Xi, J.; Yu, B.; Hu, Y.; Xing, W. Construction of super-hydrophobic, highly effective flame retardant coating for cotton fabric with superior washability and abrasion resistance. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2022 , 607 , 2019−2028..

Qi, L.; Chen, L.; Cai, W.; Wang, C.; Wang, B.; Hu, Y.; Xing, W. Intelligent polyester fabric with fire safety for personal temperature management. Chem. Eng. J. 2023 , 475 , 146272..

Qi, L.; Wang, B.; Zhang, W.; Yu, B.; Zhou, M.; Hu, Y.; Xing, W. Durable flame retardant and dip-resistant coating of polyester fabrics by plasma surface treatment and UV-curing. Prog. Org. Coat. 2022 , 172 , 107066..

Beyler-Çiğil, A. Designing superhydrophobic and flame retardant photo-cured hybrid coatings. Prog. Org. Coat. 2020 , 148 , 105850..

Liang, B.; Bai, Z.; Zhou, H.; Cui, J.; Xu, X.; Zhu, Y.; Wang, H. Multifunctional photocurable liquid-like amphiphobic coating with anti-scaling and anti-corrosion performance. Prog. Org. Coat. 2025 , 209 , 109562..

Qiao, S.; Shi, Z.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, G.; Huang, Z.; He, A.; Chen, M.; Ke, G.; Yuan, J.; Chen, S.; Chen, F. Colorful polyester with high-efficiency flame retardant and anti-dripping properties. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 521 , 166544..

Chen, S.; Li, J.; Yuan, Y.; Fu, Z.; Ma, D.; Zhang, L.; Wang, G.; Fang, D. Zinc hydroxystannate coated by polyphosphazene to improve the fire safety and suppress the smoke of epoxy resin. Prog. Org. Coat. 2024 , 186 , 108041..

Shen, Q.; Yu, B.; Chen, D.; Zhang, F.; Wang, L.; Ma, Y.; Yang, W. Novel furfuryl-based phosphaphenanthrene containing N/P flame retardant: towards epoxy resin with excellent flame retardancy, enhanced toughness and low dielectric constant. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 519 , 165034..

Wang, G.; Ran, F.; Hui, X.; Fang, D.; Li, J.; Ma, D.; Zhang, X.; Fu, Z.; Mukhamediev, M. Ultrasonic co-precipitation synthesis of phosphonitrile-modified calciu m hydroxystannate hybrids for epoxy composites: synergistic reduction in heat release and toxic gas emission. Colloids Surf. Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 2025 , 726 , 138034..

Chen, Z.; Bi, X.; Shi, Y.; Xue, D.; Li, T.; Zhang, B.; Gao, Z.; Zhao, T. Dual covalent crosslinking strategy to fabricate flame-retardant, hydrophobic, high-strength and breathable fabric. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 520 , 165781..

Dong, F.; Wang, Y.; Wang, S.; Shaghaleh, H.; Sun, P.; Huang, X.; Xu, X.; Wang, S.; Liu, H. Flame-retarded polyurethane foam conferred by a bio-based nitrogen-phosphorus-containing flame retardant. React. Funct. Polym. 2021 , 168 , 105057..

Kim, T. Y.; Park, J. H.; Kim, O. Y.; Hwang, S. H. The effect of chemically modified expandable graphite on flame-retardant properties of waterborne intumescent flame-retardant coating. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 2025 , 149 , 366−373..

Wang, J.; Guo, Y.; Zhao, S.; Huang, R. Y.; Kong, X. J. A novel intumescent flame retardant imparts high flame retardancy to epoxy resin. Polym. Adv. Technol. 2020 , 31 , 932−940..

Huang, Z.; Li, S.; Tsai, L. C.; Jiang, T.; Ma, N.; Tsai, F. C. Flame retardant polypropylene with a single molecule intumescent flame retardant based on chitosan. Mater. Today Commun. 2022 , 33 , 104689..

Feng, C.; Liang, M.; Jiang, J.; Huang, J.; Liu, H. Flame retardant properties and mechanism of an efficient intumescent flame retardant PLA composites. Polym. Adv. Technol. 2016 , 27 , 693−700..

Yuan, J.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Ma, Y.; Zhu, Z.; Lin, X. A novel highly efficient intumescent flame-retardant polypropylene: Thermal degradation, flame retardance and mechanism. J. Polym. Res. 2022 , 29 , 205..

Zhang, D.; Williams, B. L.; Becher, E. M.; Shrestha, S. B.; Nasir, Z.; Lofink, B. J.; Santos, V. H.; Patel, H.; Peng, X.; Sun, L. Flame retardant and hydrophobic cotton fabrics from intumescent coatings. Adv. Compos. Hybrid Mater. 2018 , 1 , 177−184..

Lee, J.; Park, K.; Oh, S. M.; Kim, B. S.; Kang, H. I.; Baeck, S. H.; Shim, S. E.; Qian, Y. Facile preparation of heptazine-covered Fe2O3 and its synergistic effect on the enhanced flame retardance of silicone rubber composite. Compos. Commun. 2024 , 51 , 102104..

Wang, Z.; Gong, G.; Gao, L.; Cui, W.; Wang, Y. Preparation and performance of intumescent water-based coatings with both thermal insulation and flame retardant functions. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 480 , 148165..

Chen, B.; Wu, D.; Wang, T.; Liu, Q.; Jia, D. Porous carbon generation by burning starch-based intumescent flame retardants for supercapacitors. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 486 , 150353..

Qi, L.; Cai, W.; Cui, T.; Li, J.; Song, L.; Gui, Z.; Fei, B.; Zhu, J.;Hu, Y.; Xing, W. Anisotropic radiative cooling dynamics enabling efficient thermal hazard mitigation via hierarchically engineered thermal diodes. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025 , 36 , e08101..

Li, X.; Zhao, Z.; Wang, Y.; Yan, H.; Zhang, X.; Xu, B. Highly efficient flame retardant, flexible, and strong adhesive intumescent coating on polypropylene using hyperbranched polyamide. Chem. Eng. J. 2017 , 324 , 237−250..

Ma, T.; Zhou, Q.; Li, L.; Pan, M.; Guo, C.; Mei, C. Nacre-inspired intumescent flame retardant bridging network for intelli gent fire warning and prevention. Chem. Eng. J. 2023 , 468 , 143786..

Deng, X.; Li, C.; Sun, X.; Wang, C.; Liu, B.; Li, Y.; Yang, H. Flame-retardant wood-based composite phase change materials based on PDMS/expanded graphite coating for efficient solar-to-thermal energy storage. ApEn 2024 , 368 , 123454..

Tang, W.; Qian, L.; Prolongo, S. G.; Qiu, Y.; Wang, D. Y. Macromolecular piperazine/aluminum phosphate hybrid and its efficient intumescent flame retardant/thermal conductive polypropylene. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 495 , 153162..

Wu, W.-S.; Ni, Y.-P.; Chen, L.; Fu, T.; Wang, X.-L.; Wang, Y.-Z. Trinity effect of potassium sulfonate-benzimidozale towards self-intumescent flame-retarded polyester with low fire hazards. Chem. Eng. J. 2022 , 429 , 132121..

Jian, R. K.; Ai, Y. F.; Xia, L.; Zhao, L. J.; Zhao, H. B. Single component phosphamide-based intumescent flame retardant with potential reactivity towards low flammability and smoke epoxy resins. J. Hazard. Mater. 2019 , 371 , 529−539..

Li, Y.; Su, Q.; Leng, Y.; Sun, P.; Han, X.; Xu, M.; Li, X.; Li, B. Silane-modified magnesium oxide synergized with diphenyl chlorophosphate for high thermal conductivity and flame-retardant epoxy composites. Compos. Commun. 2025 , 60 , 102617..

Qi, L.; Cai, W.; Cui, T.; Chen, L.; Gao, J.; Wang, W.; Rahman, M. Z.; Gui, Z.; Fei, B.; Hu, Y.; Xing, W. Enhanced radiative cooling and flame retardancy through phosphate-linked hollow metal-organic framework spheres. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 507 , 160469..

Ye, X.; Zhan, C.; Sai, T.; Wang, B.; Li, J.; Zhang, C.; Wang, Y.; Guo, Z.; Huo, S. Flame-retardant and UV-resistant polycarbonate composites with well-preserved mechanical properties enabled by silsesquioxane/sulfonate-functionalized nano carbon black. Compos. Commun. 2025 , 56 , 102407..

Chen, S.; Li, X.; Li, Y.; Sun, J. Intumescent flame-retardant and self-healing superhydrophobic coatings on cotton fabric. ACS Nano 2015 , 9 , 4070−4076..

Cai, G.; Liu, A.; He, Y.; Hu, Z.; Bian, J.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Wang, M. Preparation and performance analysis of a novel zirconium-doped silicone resin modified epoxy resin-based intumescent flame-retardant and thermal-insulating coating. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 520 , 165996..

Zheng, S.; Shi, S.; Zeng, K.; Zhou, X.; Zhou, L.; Rao, W.; Yu, C. A compound containing phosphorus-rich arcuate structure towards improving fire safety and toughness, and maintaining transparency of epoxy resins. Compos. Commun. 2025 , 56 , 102386..

Yang, S.; Zhang, J.; Liu, G.; Wang, R.; Zhang, X. Poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA) and schiff base dual modifications of the cyclodextrin-Based hierarchical fire retardants towards fire safe and UV-resistant poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Compos. Commun. 2025 , 54 , 102257..

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Tools

Publicity Resources

Construction of Zinc Ion-reinforced Melamine Phosphate Flame Retardant for Synergistic Enhancement of Flame Retardancy and Energy Absorption in Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Foams

Ingenious Engineering of Phosphorus and Nitrogen-enriched Nickel/Iron Bimetallic Phyllosilicates: Forging Multifunctional Epoxy Composites with Excellent Toughness, Self-lubrication, Wear Resistance and Flame Retardancy

Polyoxometalate-doped Chitosan Quaternary Ammonium/Polyacrylamide Interpenetrating Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical and Tribological Properties

Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Prolonged Recovery Onset Period of Timed Shape Memory Hydrogels via Hydrophobic Interaction

Soft-segment-engineered Self-healing Polyurethane for High-performance Electrorheological Elastomers and Capacitive Sensors

Related Author

Xian-Sheng Hong

Yu-Ying Zheng

Peng Jin

Ji-Nian Yang

Wei-Long Chen

De-Han Chen

Yu-Xuan Xu

Han-Xing Yang

Related Institution

School of Materials and Packaging Engineering, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University

College of Material Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Science & Technology

School of Construction Management, Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Architectural Technology

School of Public Security and Emergency Management, Anhui University of Science & Technology

⁰