Preparation and properties of NC/RDX/AP nano-composite energetic materials by the sol–gel method

Abstract: A new nano-composite energetic material, in which submicrometer ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles and nanoparticles of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) were uniformly dispersed in the cross-linked nitrocellulose (NC), was prepared by the sol–gel method. The structure of the material was confirmed by means of SEM, XRD and N₂ adsorption isotherm techniques, and the results showed that the NC/RDX/AP nano-composite energetic material is monolithic with numerous pores of nanometer scale and the mean grain size of RDX is <100 nm. The properties of the material were studied by TG/DSC and oxygen bomb calorimetry. TG/DSC analyses indicated that firstly RDX decomposed along with NC matrix and the DSC exothermic peak temperature of NC matrix and RDX is 10 °C lower than that of the physical mixture and secondly the exothermic peak temperature of AP component shifts from the lower temperature of NC matrix and RDX decomposition to the higher temperature of AP decomposition as the AP mass ratio increases. The heat-of-explosion tests showed that the NC/RDX/AP nano-composite energetic materials produced more energy during explosion and the sensitivity of them is lower than that of the physical mixture according to the impact sensitivity test. Graphical abstract: A new nano-composite energetic material, in which submicrometer ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles and nanoparticles of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) were uniformly dispersed in the cross-linked nitrocellulose (NC), was prepared by the sol–gel method.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]