A novel energetic composite with a special sandwich microstructure: RDX/expanded graphite intercalation composite

Abstract

In this paper, the RDX/expanded graphite (EG) intercalation composites were prepared by solvent/anti-solvent process to recrystallize RDX crystals into the holes, gaps and grooves of EG with controllable embedding ratio (maximum 87.0 wt%) and crystal size. RDX in the composites was in the most stableα-phase, which was benefit for its further application in the military industry. The stability and sensitivity of RDX were improved with higher melting and thermolysis temperature, activation enthalpy (ΔH ≠), critical temperature of thermal explosion (T b) and lower mechanical sensitivity. The advanced half-coated parallel multi-sandwiches microstructure of RDX/EG intercalation composites possessed two effects: (i) high heat conduction and (ii) hot spots isolation of the carbon microstructure, which were the key to higher performance.

Mechanical Sensitivity Reduction of Energetic Materials by Using Carbon Nanomaterials

“…[46] Since EG possesses remarkable 3D structures such as holes, gaps and grooves, researchers believe that it has the potential to be a desensitization carrier for EMs. [5] Recently, RDX/EG intercalation composites were prepared by recrystallizing RDX crystal into the EG using solvent/anti-solvent method (figure 2) [7] . This composite is actually a half-coated parallel multi-sandwich like microstructure, the embed ration of RDX into EG could reach 80.0 wt.% ~87.0 wt.% when the concentration of RDX solution is over 1.1 mol/L and the volume ratio of solvent to anti-solvent was 1:6.…”

“…This improved performance was attributed to the high heat conduction and hot spots isolation of the carbon microstructure. [7] 2022 [60]Fullerene or C60, discovered in 1985 and reached the scale of preparation in 1990 [8] , is cage-like molecules composed of 60 carbon atoms joined together by single and double bonds to form a hollow sphere with 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal faces. Benefit from its unique structure, C60 shows a wide variety of applications, such as superconductivity, ferromagnetism [9] , anticancer agent [10] , etc.…”