The aim of this work was to desensitize keto‐RDX, respectively 2‐oxo‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (K6). For this purpose, two different methods were employed. First, nano‐K6 was produced by means of the Spray Flash Evaporation process. Particles with a median size of 74 nm were obtained. Sensitivity to friction and electrostatic discharge were reduced by downscaling particle size of K6. Second, due to their molecular analogy, the mixing of K6 and RDX was studied. For that reason, a physical nanometric mixture of K6 and RDX was produced by the same technique. In the latter case, an inter‐particular synergy between both compounds was noticed but without forming a cocrystal. The median particle size of the mixture is about 82 nm, and its sensitivity is between the ones of raw nano‐materials concerning friction and electrostatic discharge. Moreover, the mixture is less sensitive to impact (3.03 J) than nano‐K6 (<1.56 J) and nano‐RDX (threshold is 2.0 J).
Research efforts for realizing safer and higher performance energetic materials are continuing unabated all over the globe. While the thermites – pyrotechnic compositions of an oxide and a metal – have been finely tailored thanks to progress in other sectors, organic high explosives are still stagnating. The most symptomatic example is the longstanding challenge of the nanocrystallization of 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Recent advances in crystallization processes and milling technology mark the beginning of a new area which will hopefully lead the pyroelectric industry to finally embrace nanotechnology. This work reviews the previous and current techniques used to crystallize RDX at a submicrometer scale or smaller. Several key points are highlighted then discussed, such as the smallest particle size and its morphology, and the scale-up capacity and the versatility of the process.
The nanocrystallization of organic pure and composite materials in amounts compatible with industrial demands opens an important challenge as such compounds are of high interest in the fields of pharmacy and defense. We demonstrate the versatility of the Spray Flash Evaporation (SFE) process which is a continuous technique and will establish a wider sphere of hierarchical nanocomposite structures and materials. The paper shows in detail the progress that is reached on the precise nanostructural tuning of composite matter, giving by the same way access to precise medical applications (e.g., advanced drug synthesis). Furthermore, SFE enables the production of energetic nanostructured precursors and therefore permits the synthesis by detonation of ultrafine nanodiamonds with pioneering sizes less than 5 nm. Without any doubt, the use of SFE opens a large fundamental research possibility and applicative issue for future products. To realize opportunities described in the manuscript for the materials conceived by SFE, we also introduce challenges to face in terms of structural characterization with high spatial and chemical resolution that were never reached in a combined manner before.
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