High fire hazard of epoxy resin (EP) has been an unavoidable obstruction on its wide application. Here, a manganese phytate dotted polyaniline shell enwrapped carbon nanotube (MPCNT) is facilely constructed and employed as flame retardant for EP. By adding 4.0 wt% MPCNT, the peak heat release rate, total heat release values, peak CO yields and total CO yields are decreased by 27.2, 12.3, 44.8, and 23.3%, respectively. The decreased absorbance intensity of toxic aromatic volatiles is also observed. Then, a tripartite cooperative flame retardant mechanism (a continuous barrier network, catalytic charring function of phytate, and catalytic activity of Mn P/C system) is proposed. Furthermore, the storage modulus of EP composites with 2.0 and 4.0 wt% MPCNT are increased by 23.0 and 25.8% at 40 degrees C, respectively. Thus, the simultaneous reinforcements in fire safety and mechanical performance of EP are successfully achieved. This work may represent a significant step forward in the facile construction of functionalized carbon materials for achieving their whole potentials in polymer -matrix composite. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.