Synthesis of insensitive high-density energetic materials through molecular self-assembly

Abstract

The development of insensitive high energy materials through a simple strategy is a challenge. In this work, five insensitive high energy materials: TNPDO-ADNP (1), TNPDO-DNBT (2), TNPDO-55BT (3), TNPDO-DNABO (4), and TNPDO-BTO (5) were prepared by reaction between TNPDO, a high density insensitive base and five high energy acids: ADNP (4-amino-3,5-dinitro-1H-pyrazole), DNBT (3,3'-dinitro-5,5'-bis-1,2,4-triazole), 55BT (5,5'-bitetrazole), DNABO (2,2'-dinitramino-5,5'-bis-1H,1'H-oxa-3,4-diazole), and BTO (1H,1'H-5,5'-bitetrazole-1,1'-diol) through molecular self-assembly in aqueous solution. All compounds exhibit high density (>1.85 g·cm⁻3), acceptable decomposition temperature (>185 °C), high detonation performance (>8376 m·s⁻1, >27.80 GPa) and insensitivity (>40 J, >360 N). The detonation properties of 3 are higher than either of its corresponding precursors, and the density of 4 is 1.96 g cm⁻3, with detonation velocity and pressure of 8895 m·s⁻1 and 33.32 GPa, respectively, which is comparable with that of RDX. The density of 5 is 1.87 g cm⁻3, higher than either of its precursors. Simple preparation, insensitivity, acceptable thermal stability and excellent detonation properties make these five materials promising. This work may pave the way to the preparation of low sensitive or insensitive high energy materials through simple preparation.