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

Xian-Sheng Hong; Yu-Ying Zheng

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3672-z

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

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

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-07-15

- Construction of Zinc Ion-reinforced Melamine Phosphate Flame Retardant for Synergistic Enhancement of Flame Retardancy and Energy Absorption in Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Foams
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 8, Pages: 2758-2774(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.College of Material Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
  b.School of Materials and Packaging Engineering, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, Fuzhou 350300, China
- Author bio：
  
  yyzheng@fzu.edu.cn
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3672-z
  CLC：
- Received：11 February 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-03-14，
  
  Accepted：17 March 2026，
  
  Online First：15 July 2026，
  
  Published：15 August 2026
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Hong, X. S.; Zheng, Y. Y. Construction of zinc ion-reinforced melamine phosphate flame retardant for synergistic enhancement of flame retardancy and energy absorption in ethylene-vinyl acetate foams. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2758–2774

Xian-Sheng Hong, Yu-Ying Zheng. Construction of Zinc Ion-reinforced Melamine Phosphate Flame Retardant for Synergistic Enhancement of Flame Retardancy and Energy Absorption in Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Foams[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2758-2774.
Hong, X. S.; Zheng, Y. Y. Construction of zinc ion-reinforced melamine phosphate flame retardant for synergistic enhancement of flame retardancy and energy absorption in ethylene-vinyl acetate foams. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 2758–2774 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3672-z.

Xian-Sheng Hong, Yu-Ying Zheng. Construction of Zinc Ion-reinforced Melamine Phosphate Flame Retardant for Synergistic Enhancement of Flame Retardancy and Energy Absorption in Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Foams[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(8): 2758-2774. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3672-z.

摘要

Zinc ion chelated melamine phosphate (MPP) optimizes pore structure and forms a dual-phase barrier

significantly enhancing foam energy absorption and flame retardancy

via

combined gas and char reinforcement.

Abstract

The foam materials used in cushioning and protective applications often face a trade-off between flame retardancy and energy absorption. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foams are lightweight

flexible

and highly flammable

which restricts their broader engineering applications. In this study

a multifunctional additive

silane-modified zinc ion–reinforced melamine phosphate (ZnMP)

was developed

via in situ

ion complexation and surface grafting to overcome the incompatibility between flame retardancy and mechanical performance in conventional intumescent systems. Compared to pristine melamine phosphate (MPP)

ZnMP forms a coordinated structure through Zn

interactions with nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing groups. When incorporated into the EVA foams at 15 wt%

ZnMP acted as an efficient heterogeneous nucleating agent

generating a dense microporous structure. Meanwhile

the silane coupling agent enhanced the interfacial interaction between the ZnMP and the EVA matrix

enabling effective reinforcement. Consequently

the EVA/ZnMP foam exhibited significantly improved mechanical properties

including a 144.3% increase in storage modulus

21.4% increase in energy adsorption

and 88.6% cyclic compression retention after 10 cycles (80% strain). In addition

promoted the formation of a compact char layer during combustion

leading to excellent flame-retardant performance with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 25.3%

UL-94 V-0 rating

and a 41.0% reduction in the peak heat release rate. This ion-coordination and interfacial modification strategy offers a promising route for developing lightweight EVA foams with balanced mechanical reinforcements a

nd flame-retardant properties for cushioning and protective applications.

关键词

Keywords

references

Jia, P. F.; Yu, F. H.; Tao, Y. J.; Sun, P. F.; Xing, W. Y.; Jie, G. X.; Hu, Y.; Wang, B. B. Multifunctional additive: a novel regulate strategy for improving mechanical property, aging life and fire safety of EVA composites. Chem. Eng. J. 2023 , 473 , 145283..

Mei, G. L.; Wang, S.; Li, Z. M.; Wang, W. H.; Hu, Z. H.; Hu, Y.; Gong, X. L. Flame-retardant, lightweight, and multiple safeguarding fire alarm sponge for firefighter safety detection. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 513 , 162905..

Shi, X. F.; Shi, F.; Luo, C. Z.; Zhang, C. H.; Shang, L. Bio-based phosphorus multifunctional P/N flame retardant to improve synergistically the mechanical and fire resistance of epoxy resin. Mater. Today Chem. 2025 , 46 , 102755..

Tian, M.; You, J. G.; Qiu, J.; Li, M. G.; Xing, H. P.; Xue, J.; Jiang, Z. W.; Tang, T. Unexpected super anti-compressive styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer/polyurea nanocomposite foam with excellent solvent resistance, re-pro cessability and shape memory performance. Compos. Part B-Eng. 2023 , 264 , 110908..

Zhang, Y. M.; Qian, L. J.; Wang, J. Y.; Qiu, Y.; Xi, W. A zinc-embedded multicomponent copolymer customized for polypropylene and its synergistic flame-retardant effect and outstanding mechanical properties. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2024 , 224 , 110762..

Shorten, M. R. Energy return in footwear–revisited. Footwear Sci. 2024 , 16 , 149−162..

Pascarella, A.; Recupido, F.; Lama, G. C.; Sorrentino, L.; Campanile, A.; Liguori, B.; Berthet, M.; Rollo, G.; Lavorgna, M.; Verdolotti, L. Design and development of sustainable polyurethane foam: A proof-of-concept as customizable packaging for cultural heritage applications. Adv. Eng. Mater. 2024 , 26 , 2301888..

Zhao, G.; Wang, H. M.; You, J. G.; Xing, H. P.; Xue, J.; Jiang, Z. W.; Tang, T. Superlight flame-retardant poly(aryl ether ketone)/polyurea nanocomposite foam with excellent solvent-resistance and shape memory performance. Compos. Commun. 2024 , 48 , 101946..

Shi, Y. Q.; Wu, S. J.; Chen, J.; Tang, L. C.; Gao, J. F.; Zou, H. F.; Song, P. A.; Qiu, T. Hierarchically building flame retardant and flexible electromagnetic interference shielding composites with tunable mechanism. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 2025 , 239 , 39−54..

[Mueller, P.; Schartel, B. Melamine poly(metal phosphates) as flame retardant in epoxy resin: performance, modes of action, and synergy. J. Appl. Polym. Sci . 2016 , 133 , 43549..

Liu, H.; Xu, W. X.; Ren, H. Z.; Li, D. X.; He, J. M.; Xia, L.; Xu, Y. T.; Zeng, B. R.; Yuan, C. H.; Dai, L. Z. Integrated comprehensive protection coating achieved by ligand engineering modulated MXene@LDH heterojunction with anti-corrosion, electromagnetic wave absorption and fire safety. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 486 , 150444..

[Maou, S.; Meftah, Y.; Olmosovich Khakberdiev, E.; Grohens, Y. Thermal and viscoelastic behaviors of recycled polyvinyl chloride/styrene-acrylonitrile blend composites incorporating treated date palm fibers. J. Thermoplast. Compos. Mater . 2025 , DOI:10.1177/08927057251403504..

[Song, Z. M.; Zhang, S. H.; Yu, X. L.; Hong, N. N.; Jia, P. F.; Xu, J. Y.; Cao, H. Z.; Han, D. Q.; Hu, Y.; Zhou, S.; Wang, B. B.; Gui, Z. Rare-earth-based hybrid flame retardant for EVA composites: flame-smoke-mechanical synergistic design. Polym. Degrad. Stabil . 2025 , 111586..

[Liu, D.; Huyan, C. X.; Li, H. X.; Ge, J.; Chen, F.; Zhang, L. Q. Recycling and upcycling of polyurethane thermosets: the second life of polymers. Adv. Mater . 2026 , 38 , e15809..

Fan, T.; Xue, S. S.; Zhu, W. B.; Zhang, Y. Y.; Li, Y. Q.; Chen, Z. K.; Huang, P.; Fu, S. Y. Multifunctional polyurethane composite foam with outstanding anti-impact capacity for soft body armors. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2022 , 14 , 13778−13789..

Yin, Z. T.; Chu, F. K.; Yu, B.; Wang, B. B.; Hu, Y. Hierarchical Ti 3 C 2 T x @BPA@ PCL for flexible polyurethane foam capable of anti-compression, self-extinguishing and flame-retardant. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2022 , 626 , 208−220..

Liu, X. L.; Zhu, M. H.; Zhu, J. H.; Liu, Z. H.; Geng, Y. W.; Xie, C. X.; Chen, X. L.; Liu, L.; Song, P. A. A ceramifiable organic-inorganic fire extinguishing hybrid coating capable of cyclic fire-warning. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 2025 , 234 , 111208..

Zhang, J. H.; Wang, X.; Tan, L. C.; Wang, Q. Y.; Yu, H. W.; Xu, W. H.; Xu, B. P.; Xiao, S. P.; Huang, J. R. A facile toughening strategy for styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer through dynamic vulcanization of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2026 , 143 , e57992..

Orabona, F.; Recupido, F. Cutting-edge development of non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) foams: from sustainable precursors to environmental impact evaluation. Green Chem. 2025 , 27 , 7403−7444..

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Tools

Publicity Resources

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

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

Zinc Ferrite as an Eco-friendly Synergist for Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene: an Effective Alternative to Antimony Trioxide for Enhanced Flame Retardancy

Designable Optical Polyesters via Alternating Copolymerization of Benzaldehyde-derived Cyclic Carbonates and Phthalic Anhydride

A Phosphorus/Nitrogen-containing Phosphaphenanthrene Derivative as Flame Retardant for Poly(lactic acid)

Related Author

Peng Jin

Ji-Nian Yang

Wei-Long Chen

De-Han Chen

Yu-Xuan Xu

Han-Xing Yang

Bing-Yi Li

Shi-Bin Nie

Related Institution

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

School of Construction Management, Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Architectural Technology

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

Key Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences

School of Intelligent Engineering and Automation, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

⁰