Compatibility and thermal decomposition mechanism of nitrocellulose/Cr2O3 nanoparticles studied using DSC and TG-FTIR.

Nano metal oxides are common combustion catalysts for enhancing the burning rate of solid propellants. Cr2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) are efficient combustion catalysts for the pyrolysis of energetic components. In this study, Cr2O3 NPs were synthesized via a modified sol-gel method and further used for studying the thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose (NC). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) analyses indicate that the Cr2O3 NPs can be safely used with NC and the mechanism of the reaction between Cr2O3/NC and pure NC follows the Avrami-Erofeev equation: f(α) = 3(1 - α)[-ln(1 - α)]1/3/2. The peak temperature and activation energy (E a) for the thermal decomposition of Cr2O3/NC are lower than those of pure NC. NO2 was detected at a lower temperature after NC was mixed with Cr2O3 NPs; this indicated the catalytically accelerated bond cleavage of NC by Cr2O3 NPs.

Nonisothermal decomposition and safety parameters of HNIW/TNT cocrystal.

To explore the thermal decomposition behavior and evaluate the thermal safety of the cocrystal 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW)/2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), its thermal and kinetic behaviors were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. With the help of onset temperature (T e) and maximum peak temperature (T p) from the non-isothermal DSC curves of HNIW/TNT cocrystal at different heating rates (ß), the following were calculated: the value of specific heat capacity (C p) and the standard molar enthalpy of formation , the apparent activation energy (E K and E O) and pre-exponential constant (A K) of thermal decomposition reaction obtained by Kissinger's method and Ozawa's method, density (ρ) and thermal conductivity (λ), the decomposition heat (Q d, as half-explosion heat), Zhang-Hu-Xie-Li's formula, Smith's equation, Friedman's formula, Bruckman-Guillet's formula, Frank-Kamenetskii's formula and Wang-Du's formulas, the values (T e0 and T p0) of T e and T p corresponding to ß â†’ 0, thermal explosion temperature (T be and T bp), adiabatic time-to-explosion (t tiad), 50% drop height (H 50) for impact sensitivity, critical temperature of hot-spot initiation (T cr), thermal sensitivity probability density function [S(T)] vs. temperature (T) relation curves with radius of 1 m and ambient temperature of 300 K, the peak temperature corresponding to the maximum value of S(T) vs. T relation curve (T S(T)max), safety degree (SD) and critical ambient temperature (T acr) of thermal explosion. Results show that the kinetic equation describing the exothermic decomposition reaction of HNIW/TNT cocrystal is The following thermal safety parameters for the HNIW/TNT cocrystal are obtained: T e0 = 464.45 K; T p0 = 477.55 K; T be = 472.82 K; T bp = 485.89 K; t tiad = 4.40 s, 4.42 s, and 4.43 s for n = 0, 1, and 2, respectively; T cr = 531.90 K; H 50 = 19.46 cm; and the values of T acr, T S(T)max, SD and P TE are 469.69 K, 470.58 K, 78.57% and 21.43% for sphere; 465.70 K, 470.58 K, 78.17% and 21.83% for infinite cylinder; and 459.39 K, 464.26 K, 77.54% and 22.46% for infinite flat.

The synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of an energetic compound: the hydrated azanium salt of 3,6-bis[(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl)amino]-1,2,4,5-tetrazine.

The energetic ionic salt bis(1-aminoguanidin-2-ium) 5,5'-[1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-diylbis(azanediyl)]bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-1-ide) dihydrate, 2CH7N4+·C4H2N142-·2H2O, (I), with a high nitrogen content, has been synthesized and examined by elemental analysis, Fourier transform IR spectrometry, 1H NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compound (I) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with two water molecules. However, the water molecules are disordered about an inversion centre and were modelled as half-occupancy molecules in the structure. The crystal structure reveals a three-dimensional network of molecules linked through N-H...N, N-H...O, O-H...N and O-H...O hydrogen bonds. Thermal decomposition was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The exothermic peak temperature is 509.72 K, which indicates that hydrated salt (I) exhibits good thermal stability. Non-isothermal reaction kinetic parameters were calculated via both the Kissinger and the Ozawa methods to yield activation energies of Ek = 239.07 kJ mol-1, lgAk = 22.79 s-1 and EO = 235.38 kJ mol-1 for (I). Additionally, the thermal safety was evaluated by calculating critical temperatures and thermodynamic values, viz. TSADT, TTIT, Tb, ΔS≠, ΔH≠ and ΔG≠. The results reveal that (I) exhibits good thermal safety compared to other ion salts of 3,6-bis[(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl)amino]-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (BTATz).

Non-isothermal decomposition kinetics, heat capacity and thermal safety of 37.2/44/16/2.2/0.2/0.4-GAP/CL-20/Al/N-100/PCA/auxiliaries mixture.

The specific heat capacity (C(p)) of 37.2/44/16/2.2/0.2/0.4-GAP/CL-20/Al/N-100/PCA/auxiliaries mixture was determined with the continuous C(p) mode of microcalorimeter. The equation of C(p) with temperature was obtained. The standard molar heat capacity of GAP/CL-20/Al/N-100/PCA/auxiliaries mixture was 1.225 J mol(-1)K(-1) at 298.15K. With the help of the peak temperature (T(p)) from the non-isothermal DTG curves of the mixture at different heating rates (ß), the apparent activation energy (E(k) and E(o)) and pre-exponential constant (A(K)) of thermal decomposition reaction obtained by Kissinger's method and Ozawa's method. Using density (ρ) and thermal conductivity (λ), the decomposition heat (Q(d), taking half-explosion heat), Zhang-Hu-Xie-Li's formula, the values (T(e0) and T(p0)) of T(e) and T(p) corresponding to ß â†’ 0, thermal explosion temperature (T(be) and T(bp)), adiabatic time-to-explosion (t(TIad)), 50% drop height (H(50)) of impact sensitivity, and critical temperature of hot-spot initiation (T(cr,hot spot)) of thermal explosion of the mixture were calculated. The following results of evaluating the thermal safety of the mixture were obtained: T(be) = 441.64K, T(bp) = 461.66 K, t(Tlad) = 78.0 s (n = 2), t(Tlad) = 74.87 s (n = 1), t(Tlad) = 71.85 s (n = 0), H(50) = 21.33 cm.

Thermal behaviors, nonisothermal decomposition reaction kinetics, thermal safety and burning rates of BTATz-CMDB propellant.

The composite modified double base (CMDB) propellants (nos. RB0601 and RB0602) containing 3,6-bis (1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl-amino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (BTATz) without and with the ballistic modifier were prepared and their thermal behaviors, nonisothermal decomposition reaction kinetics, thermal safety and burning rates were investigated. The results show that there are three mass-loss stages in TG curve and two exothermic peaks in DSC curve for the BTATz-CMDB propellant. The first two mass-loss stages occur in succession and the temperature ranges are near apart, and the decomposition peaks of the two stages overlap each other, inducing only one visible exothermic peak appear in DSC curve during 350-550 K. The reaction mechanisms of the main exothermal decomposition processes of RB0601 and RB0602 are all classified as chemical reaction, the mechanism functions are f(alpha)=(1-alpha)(2), and the kinetic equations are dalpha/dt = 10(19.24)(1-alpha)(2)e(-2.32x10(4)/T) and dalpha/dt = 10(20.32)(1-alpha)(2)e(-2.32x10(4)/T). The thermal safety evaluation on the BTATz-CMDB propellants was obtained. With the substitution of 26% RDX by BTATz and with the help of the ballistic modifier in the CMDB propellant formulation, the burning rate can be improved by 89.0% at 8 MPa and 47.1% at 22 MPa, the pressure exponent can be reduced to 0.353 at 14-20 MPa.

Effects of Bi-NTO complex on thermal behaviors, nonisothermal reaction kinetics and burning rates of NG/TEGDN/NC propellant.

A bismuth 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (Bi-NTO) complex was prepared and characterized, and its effects on the thermal behaviors, non-isothermal decomposition reaction kinetics, and burning rates of the double-base (DB) propellant containing the mixed ester of triethyleneglycol dinitrate (TEGDN) and nitroglycerin (NG) with Bi-NTO complex as a ballistic modifier were investigated by thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that Bi-NTO complex can increase the decomposition heat by 140 J g(-1), and it can change the decomposition reaction mechanism function, the kinetic parameters and kinetic equation of the propellant under 0.1 MPa. Combustion experiment shows that Bi-NTO complex can increase the burning rate and reduce the pressure exponent of the NG/TEGDN/NC propellant effectively, with the increase of the catalysis efficiency by 40%.

Preparation, non-isothermal decomposition kinetics, heat capacity and adiabatic time-to-explosion of NTOxDNAZ.

NTOxDNAZ was prepared by mixing 3,3-dinitroazetidine (DNAZ) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) in ethanol solution. The thermal behavior of the title compound was studied under a non-isothermal condition by DSC and TG/DTG methods. The kinetic parameters were obtained from analysis of the DSC and TG/DTG curves by Kissinger method, Ozawa method, the differential method and the integral method. The main exothermic decomposition reaction mechanism of NTOxDNAZ is classified as chemical reaction, and the kinetic parameters of the reaction are E(a)=149.68 kJ mol(-1) and A=10(15.81)s(-1). The specific heat capacity of the title compound was determined with continuous C(p) mode of microcalorimeter. The standard mole specific heat capacity of NTOxDNAZ was 352.56 J mol(-1)K(-1) in 298.15K. Using the relationship between C(p) and T and the thermal decomposition parameters, the time of the thermal decomposition from initialization to thermal explosion (adiabatic time-to-explosion) was obtained.

Non-isothermal thermal decomposition reaction kinetics of 2-nitroimino-5-nitro-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (NNHT).

The thermal behavior and decomposition reaction kinetics of 2-nitroimino-5-nitro-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (NNHT) were investigated by TG-DTG and DSC under atmospheric pressure and flowing nitrogen gas conditions. The results show that the thermal decomposition process of NNHT has two mass loss stages. The exothermic decomposition reaction mechanism obeys chemical reaction rule. The kinetic parameters of the reaction are E(a)=131.77 kJ mol(-1), lg(A/s(-1))=12.56, respectively. The kinetic equation can be expressed as: dalpha/dt = 10(12.86)(1-alpha)(3/2)3(-1.5849 x 10(4)/T)). The critical temperature of thermal explosion of NNHT obtained from the peak temperature (T(p)) is T(bp)=467.22K. The entropy of activation (DeltaS( not equal)), enthalpy of activation (DeltaH( not equal)), and free energy of activation (DeltaG( not equal)) of the reaction are -7.978 J mol(-1)K(-1), 127.99 kJ mol(-1) and 131.62 kJ mol(-1), respectively.

Effects of pressure and TEGDN content on decomposition reaction mechanism and kinetics of DB gun propellant containing the mixed ester of TEGDN and NG.

The effects of pressure and triethyleneglycol dinitrate (TEGDN) content on the decomposition reaction mechanism and kinetics of the double-base (DB) gun propellant composed of mixed ester of TEGDN and nitroglycerin (NG), and nitrocellulose (NC) were investigated by high-pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC). The results show that the high pressure can decrease the DSC peak temperature, increase the decomposition heat; with the increase in the content of TEGDN, the decomposition heat decreases below 2MPa and rises at 4MPa. The high pressure can change the decomposition reaction mechanism and the kinetics of the DB gun propellant under 0.1MPa; the high TEGDN content does not change the mechanism functions, and the kinetic equation has a little difference between the sample and the control propellant; the high pressure makes the critical temperature (T(be)) of thermal explosion of the sample decrease, while the high TEGDN content make it present a increasing trend, and the DB gun propellant containing high content of TEGDN has a better thermal stability.

Thermal behavior, specific heat capacity and adiabatic time-to-explosion of G(FOX-7).

[H(2)N=C(NH(2))(2)](+)(FOX-7)(-)-G(FOX-7) was prepared by mixing FOX-7 and guanidinium chloride solution in potassium hydroxide solution. Its thermal decomposition was studied under the non-isothermal conditions with DSC and TG/DTG methods. The apparent activation energy (E) and pre-exponential constant (A) of the two exothermic decomposition stages were obtained by Kissinger's method and Ozawa's method, respectively. The critical temperature of thermal explosion (T(b)) was obtained as 201.72 degrees C. The specific heat capacity of G(FOX-7) was determined with Micro-DSC method and theoretical calculation method and the standard molar specific heat capacity is 282.025 J mol(-1) K(-1) at 298.15 K. Adiabatic time-to-explosion of G(FOX-7) was also calculated to be a certain value between 13.95 and 15.66 s.

Preparation, characterization, non-isothermal reaction kinetics, thermodynamic properties, and safety performances of high nitrogen compound: hydrazine 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one complex.

A new high nitrogen compound hydrazine 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one complex (HNTO) was prepared by the reaction of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one with hydrazine hydrate, and its structure was characterized by means of organic elemental analyzer, FT-IR, XRD, (13)C NMR and (15)N NMR. The non-isothermal reaction kinetics of the main exothermic decomposition reaction of HNTO was investigated by means of DSC. The thermodynamic properties of HNTO were calculated. The results showed that the formation of HNTO is achieved by proton transfer of N(4) atom, and it makes a higher nitrogen content and lower acidity. The reaction mechanism of HNTO is classified as nucleation and growth, and the mechanism function is Avramo-Erofeev equation with n=2/5. The kinetic parameters of the reaction are E(a)=195.29 kJ mol(-1), lg(A (s(-1)))=19.37, respectively. The kinetic equation can be expressed as: d(alpha)/d(t) = 10(18.97)(1 - alpha)[-ln(1 - alpha)](3/5) e(-2.35 x 10(4)/T). The safety performances of HNTO were carried out. The critical temperature of thermal explosion are 464.26 and 474.37 K, the adiabatic time-to-explosion is 262s, the impact sensitivity H(50)=45.7 cm, the friction sensitivity P=20% and the electrostatic spark sensitivity E(50)>5.4J (no ignition). It shows that HNTO has an insensitive nature as RDX and NTO, etc.

Nonisothermal decomposition kinetics and computational studies on the properties of 2,4,6,8-tetranitro-2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3,3,1]onan-3,7-dione (TNPDU).

The thermal decomposition and the nonisothermal kinetics of the thermal decomposition reaction of 2,4,6,8-tetranitro-2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3,3,1]onan-3,7-dione (TNPDU) were studied under the nonisothermal condition by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry-derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) methods. The kinetic model function in differential form and the value of Ea and A of the decomposition reaction of TNPDU are f(alpha) = 3(1 - alpha)[-ln(1 - alpha)](2/3), 141.72 kJ mol(-1), and 10(11.99) s(-1), respectively. The critical temperature of thermal explosion of the title compound is 232.58 degrees C. The values of DeltaS(++), DeltaH(++), and DeltaG(++) of this reaction are -15.50 J mol(-1) K(-1), 147.65 kJ mol(-1), and 155.26 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The theoretical investigation on the title compound as a structure unit was carried out by the DFT-B3LYP/6-311++G** method. The IR frequencies and NMR chemical shift were performed and compared with the experimental results. The heat of formation (HOF) for TNPDU was evaluated by designing isodesmic reactions. The detonation velocity (D) and detonation pressure (P) were estimated by using the well-known Kamlet-Jacobs equation, based on the theoretical densities and HOF. The calculation on bond dissociation energy suggests that the N-N bond should be the trigger bond during the pyrolysis initiation process.

A new high-nitrogen compound [Mn(ATZ)(H2O)4] x 2H2O: synthesis and characterization.

A new high-nitrogen compound [Mn(ATZ)(H(2)O)(4)] x 2H(2)O (ATZ=5,5-azotetrazolate) was synthesized. Crystal structure and elemental, IR and thermal analyses were investigated in the present work. It crystallized in triclinic space group P-1 with lattice parameters a=6.304(2)A, b=7.004(2)A, c=7.921(3)A, alpha=76.114(5) degrees , beta=74.023(5) degrees , gamma=69.254(4) degrees . TG-DTG and DSC measurements are employed to postulate the thermal decomposition mechanism. The thermal decomposition kinetics of the main exothermic reaction was investigated by non-isothermal method and obtained its enthalpy of decomposition and the probable kinetic mechanism. An attempt was made to incorporate the relation between thermal stability and the structure.

Using molecular recognition of beta-cyclodextrin to determine molecular weights of low-molecular-weight explosives by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

This study presents a novel method for determining the molecular weights of low molecular weight (MW) energetic compounds through their complexes of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in a mass range of 500 to 1700 Da, avoiding matrix interference. The MWs of one composite explosive composed of 2,6-DNT, TNT, and RDX, one propellant with unknown components, and 14 single-compound explosives (RDX, HMX, 3,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, 2,5-DNT, 2,4,6-TNT, TNAZ, DNI, BTTN, NG, TO, NTO, NP, and 662) were measured. The molecular recognition and inclusion behavior of beta-CD to energetic materials (EMs) were investigated. The results show that (1) the established method is sensitive, simple, accurate, and suitable for determining the MWs of low-MW single-compound explosives and energetic components in composite explosives and propellants; and (2) beta-CD has good inclusion and modular recognition abilities to the above EMs.

Non-isothermal kinetics of the dehydration reaction of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one rubidium and cesium complexes.

3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) rubidium and cesium complexes were synthesized by mixing the aqueous solution of NTO and their respective metal carbonates. Their thermal decomposition and the non-isothermal kinetics of the dehydration reaction were studied under the non-isothermal condition by DSC and TG-DTG methods. The kinetic parameters were obtained from analysis of the DSC and TG-DTG curves by Kissinger method, Ozawa method, the differential method and the integral method. The most probable mechanism functions for the dehydration reaction of the title complexes were suggested by comparing the kinetic parameters. The dehydration decomposition reaction of RbNTO.H2O and CsNTO.H2O appears to be the same as Avrami-Erofeev equation: f(alpha) = (5/2)(1-alpha)[-ln(1-alpha)](3/5), G(alpha)=[-ln(1-alpha)](2/5), n = 2/5. The critical temperature of thermal explosion is 240.88 degrees C for RbNTO.H2O and 246.27 degrees C for CsNTO.H2O.

Thermal decomposition kinetics of the Pb0.25Ba0.75(TNR).H2O complex.

Studies of the non-isothermal decomposition of Pb(0.25)Ba(0.75)(TNR).H(2)O (TNR=2,4,6-trinitro-1,3-dihydroxy-benzene) were carried out by means of TG-DTA, DSC and IR techniques. The thermal decomposition mechanism and the associated kinetics have been investigated. The kinetic parameters were obtained from the analysis of the DSC curves by integral and differential methods. The most probable kinetic model function of the dehydration reaction of Pb(0.25)Ba(0.75)(TNR).H(2)O were suggested by comparison of the kinetic parameters.