The preparation of sub-micron spherical Fe-Ph/Cl-20 by the spray-drying method and its combustion

This study introduces the preparation of sub-micron composite particles of phloroglucinol-Fe and Cl-20 (Fe-Ph/Cl-20) with a spherical shape using spray drying technology. The influences of solution concentration and temperature on the morphology and particle size of the Fe-Ph/Cl-20 particles were studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a laser particle analyzer. The results show that when the concentration (ethyl acetate as solvent) of Fe-Ph/Cl-20 (0.3 g : 10 g) is 10.30 g/100 g and the temperature is 80 °C, the Fe-Ph/Cl-20 particles are well-defined spherical particles (D₅₀ 958.96 nm and D₉₀ 1647.63 nm). Thermal decomposition of Fe-Ph/Cl-20 is studied using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The DSC illustrates that the apparent activation energy of Fe-Ph/Cl-20 is reduced by 41.9 kJ mol⁻¹. The spray drying technology provides theoretical support and introduces a new direction for preparing the sub-micron composite particles of high explosives and combustion catalysts.