Nitrated Bacterial Cellulose-Based Energetic Nanocomposites as Propellants and Explosives for Military Applications

Abstract

In this study, nitrated bacterial cellulose (NBC) energetic binder was introduced to prepare NBC-based nanocomposite energetic materials (nEMs) through a combined simple and safe sol−gel method and the freeze-drying technology. A series of analytical and test methods were systematically conducted to characterize the structure, composition, thermal properties, and safety performance of the materials. The results indicated that the particles of nitramine explosives were dispersed and embedded homogeneously in the three-dimensional (3D) porous cross-linked construction of the NBC gel matrix; the crystal growth of the explosive particles was restricted, which led to nanometer-scale composites. The thermal analysis demonstrated that the peak temperature of the composite (e.g., NBC/CL-20: 224.8 °C) was reduced and produced substantial heat release (e.g., NBC/CL-20: 3346 J•g −1 ) during the process of decomposition. In addition, the mechanism of thermal decomposition was probed, and cyclic catalytic decomposition between the NBC gel and explosives may exist. The sensitivity decreased visibly because of the existence of the cross-linked structure of the gel matrix, which could act as a buffer system to mitigate the release stimulated from the surroundings. Accordingly, this investigation may provide the promising potential for NBCbased energetic composites used in explosives and propellants in the military, and further promote the methodology for manufacturing energetic nanocomposites.

Fabrication of nitrocellulose‐based nanoenergetic composites, study on its structure, thermal decomposition kinetics, mechanism, and sensitivity

“…Figure 11 illustrated the preparation process of cross-linked structure of NC-based gel matrix energetic composites by sol-gel and the freeze-drying technology. The typical synthesize strategy of composites are followed in previous work: [36] firstly, a half gram of NC was dissolved in 10 mL acetone to obtain homogeneously solutions. Then the one times quality of explosives (RDX, HMX, CL-20) than NC was dissolved into the NC solutions, respectively.…”

Synthesis of 3D Porous Network Nanostructure of Nitrated Bacterial Cellulose Gel with Eminent Heat‐Release, Thermal Decomposition Behaviour and Mechanism

“…Up to date, several efforts have been devoted to fabricating energetic binder‐based materials, for example, Chen et al. [26] prepared (glycidyl azide polymer) GAP/RDX nanocomposite energetic materials and improved the peak temperature and heat‐release; Zhang et al. [27] and Wang et al.…”

Preparation of self-assembled FOX-7 nanosheets and their performance

“…This is because the addition of EA greatly reduces the particle sizes of the prepared FOX-7 nanosheets and increases their specific surface area, and at the same time, the gas produced by EA decomposition has a catalytic effect on the decomposition of the prepared FOX-7 nanosheets. 39,40 So, the apparent thermal decomposition enthalpy of the prepared FOX-7 nanosheets increases with the increase of the EA content.…”