Recent advances in the synthesis and energetic properties of potassium-based potential green primary explosives

Primary explosives are utilized as a reliable initiator for secondary explosives in an extensive range of military and civilian operations. Heavy–metal–based primary explosives are moderate performing, more sensitive, and environmentally hazardous, posing a direct and indirect threat to health and safety. Therefore, heavy–metal–based primaries have been replaced by environment-friendly metal-based primary explosives, such as potassium complexes. This review presents not only a summary of the current progress of new-generation potassium-based primary explosives and their methods of preparation, energetic properties, and applications, but also a further comparison with traditional primary explosives. In addition, this work discusses the necessity of heavy metal–free primary explosives and the major challenges faced in replacing traditional primary explosives.