Thermal decomposition and kinetics of 5-aminotetrazolium nitrate (5-ATEZN)

The thermal decomposition of 5-aminotetrazolium nitrate (5-ATEZN) has been studied by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The result shows that the first exothermic peak in DSC curve is an overlapping peak and corresponding to the sum of the first and second weight-loss stages in TG curve. The whole thermal decomposition process of 5-ATEZN can be divided into four periods according to gaseous products identified by FTIR and the possible reaction route in the first period is proposed. In the first period, one reaction route of the splitting of tetrozole ring leading to elimination HN₃ is suggested. Kinetic parameters of the first thermal decomposition period are obtained by Kissinger method, which also reveal the complexity of the first exothermic peak in DSC curve indirectly.