Preparation and characterization of microcapsulated red phosphorus and kinetic analysis of its thermal oxidation

Abstract

Microcapsulated red phosphorus (MRP) with aluminum hydroxide/phenolic resin coating layer was prepared by a two-step coating process. The results of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy show that red phosphorus (RP) is coated by aluminum hydroxide and phenolic resin. MRP absorbs less water and is more thermally stable than RP. The thermal oxidation kinetics of MRP was investigated by TG/DTG/DTA under air atmosphere using non-isothermal experiments with the heating rates ranging from 10 to 25°C/min. The values of the apparent activation energy E_a were 168 ± 9 kJ/mol as determined by the isoconversional Ozawa–Flynn–Wall method and 164 ± 12 kJ/mol according to the Kissinger−Akahira−Sunose method. Based on Málek’s procedure the kinetic reaction follows the Šesták–Berggren model with f(α) = α0.34(1 − α)^0.94 (α is RP conversion) and pre-exponential factor A = 3.11 × 10¹² s^–1. The simulated curves were fitted with experimental curves constructed by plotting dα/dt vs temperature at different heating rates.