Thermal safety characteristics of nanoscale nitrocellulose/stabilizer composite materials

Abstract

Nitrocellulose (NC) finds widespread use in propellants and launchers. Nanoscale modification can effectively enhance its combustion performance by shortening the mass and heat transfer distance. However, it also presents greater safety challenges for storage and application. To further investigate the thermal safety characteristics of nanoscale NC, this study explores the impact of additives on nanoscale NC. Nanoscale NC was prepared via electrospinning, and the samples were characterized using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy to examine the influence of precursor concentration and stabilizer on sample morphology, leading to the formulation determination. Samples incorporating triphenylamine and lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) were fabricated using both electrospinning and traditional mechanical mixing techniques. Following preparation, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the methyl violet test, and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry were performed on six samples, each prepared using different methods and additives. These analyses aimed to investigate the thermal decomposition characteristics of the samples under varying heating rates. The study also compared the impact of nanoscale modification on the thermal performance of composite nitrocellulose. Various model-free methods were employed to calculate the relationship between activation energy and conversion rate and to analyze alterations in activation energy. Considering the thermal decomposition characteristic parameters, the study delved into the stabilizing effect of typical stabilizers in nanocomposite fibers. This research is instrumental in guiding preparation process optimization, promoting the application of NC-stabilizer mixtures, and providing valuable references for the preparation and thermal stability investigations of similar nanomaterials.