Recent Advances on the Use of Chitin and Its Derivatives as Flame Retardants for Different Polymeric Materials

There is an increase in the usage of plastic materials in various applications and due to their potential risk to burn easy and widespread the flames, there is a necessity the use of flame retardants to reduce the risk of fire hazard. Conventional flame retardancy such as halogenated flame retardants have been used but showed drawbacks. Due to environmental awareness and health concerns the use of halogenated flame retardants have been outlawed in most developed countries which opened an opportunity for development of ecofriendly flame retardancy. This present study highlights the use of chitin and chitin derivatives as flame retardants. The modification of chitin and chitin derivatives is discussed. The mechanism of flame retardants is also thoroughly discussed in this study. In addition, current status and new developments of chitin-based flame retardants are also discussed.