Polymer nanocomposites are a new class of flame retarded materials which have attracted much attention and considered as a revolutionary new flame retardant approach.A very small amount of nano flame retardants (normally < 5 wt%) can significantly reduce the heat release rate (HRR) and smoke emission (SEA) during the combustion of polymer materials.Moreover,the addition of nano flame retardants can also improve the mechanical properties of polymer materials compared with the deterioration of traditional flame retardants.This paper reviews the recent development in the flame retardant field of polymer nanocomposites and also introduces the related research in our lab.The challenges and problems are discussed and the future development of flame retarded polymer nanocomposites is prospected. Polymer nanocomposites are a new class of flame retarded materials which have attracted much attention and considered as a revolutionary new flame retardant approach. A very small amount of nano flame retardants (normally <5 wt%) can significantly reduce the heat release rate (HRR) and smoke emission (SEA) during the combustion of polymer materials. Moreover, the addition of nano flame retardants can also improve the mechanical properties of polymer materials with the deterioration of traditional flame retardants. This paper reviews the recent development in the flame retardant field of polymer nanocomposites and also introduces the related research in our lab. challenges and problems are discussed and the future development of flame retarded polymer nanocomposites is prospected.