Effect of sample mass on the thermal decomposition of 2,4-DNT under sealed condition

Abstract

Thermal analysis and calorimetry techniques with sealed sample cells are frequently employed to investigate the thermal stability of hazardous materials. However, the influence of sample mass on thermal decomposition is often ignored. To investigate the effect of sample mass on autocatalytic decomposition substances under sealed condition, 2,4-DNT was chosen for test and analysis. The techniques including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rapid screening calorimetry(RSC), high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were utilized for in-depth research on the decomposition of 2,4-DNT. The results revealed that an increase in sample mass led to an significant elevation in gaseous products such as CO₂ and CO with a negative heat of formation (ΔH_f). Then the system pressure and decomposition heat of 2,4-DNT increase significantly, thereby enhancing the thermal decomposition process. After that, it has been determined that o–nitrotoluene, m–nitroaniline, and o–nitrobenzoic acid can catalyze the decomposition of 2,4-DNT. Finally, it is advisable to increase the sample mass as much as possible when testing and analyzing such nitro compounds which would help ensure that the predicted results are closer to the actual conditions of production, transport, storage.