Progress on the synthesis and catalytic and anti‐migration properties of ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts

Abstract

Burning rate catalysts are of great importance in solid composite propellants for their unique property of accelerating combustion speed. Among various kinds of burning rate catalysts, ferrocene and its derivatives exhibit excellent catalytic effects and have become the most widely used burning rate catalysts. However, these simple ferrocenyl compounds trend to migrate in solid composite propellants during storage, which causes great damage to the propellants, equipment and environment and can even affect personal safety. The exploration of novel anti‐migratory ferrocene‐based compounds has become an advanced research hotspot in the field of burning rate catalysis. This review focuses on recent progress on the synthesis and catalytic properties of ferrocene‐based polymers and ferrocene derivatives as burning rate catalysts. Two main aspects of anti‐migratory exploration, i.e. synthesis of ferrocene‐based polymers and modification of the side groups of ferrocene, are summarized. Ferrocene‐based polymers can be obtained via condensation polymerization, addition polymerization, ring‐opening polymerization, polymer reactions, etc. Ferrocenyl compounds with active groups and ferrocene‐based metal coordination compounds were developed instead of the methods of lengthening the carbon chain of side groups and improving molecular polarity. Also, possible mechanisms of burning rate catalytic activity and migration are discussed and analyzed. Finally, the key points of the development of ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts and solid composite propellants are proposed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis and properties of binuclear ferrocene energetic compounds as combustion rate catalyst

“…[1][2][3][4] The burn rate is one of the most important technical parameters for evaluating the flammability of solid composite propellants, [5] and the use of burn rate catalysts (BRCs) has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to change the burn rate; [6] various BRCs have been reported, such as transition metal oxides, metal complexes, carbon black-related compounds, nanomaterials, and ferrocene-based derivatives. [7] Among these BRCs, ferrocene derivatives are characterized by their inherent thermal stability, aromaticity, low toxicity, lipophilicity and efficient burn rate catalytic activity; these and other advantages have attracted much attention. [8,9] Many ferrocene derivatives are recognized as BRCs for solid propellant systems, with their burning rate catalytic performance, which comes from the highly active Fe 2 O 3 decomposed during combustion, ensuring that they have excellent catalytic proper-ties.…”

Synthesis of Ferrocene‐based Esters as Burning Rate Catalysts and their Anti‐migration Study

“…Ferrocene‐based (Fc) compounds have been reported as burning rate catalysts (BRCs) on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP), and these moieties have superior burning rates (BR). [ 1 ] Fc‐based BRCs due to their high compatibility (with organic binder), and better microscopic distribution homogeneities are widely accepted as BRCs for composite solid propellants (CSPs). [ 1b,2 ] As an oxidizer, CSPs are filled with crystalline AP, and their thermal decomposition patterns have a positive effect on the propellants ballistic feature.…”

“…[ 1 ] Fc‐based BRCs due to their high compatibility (with organic binder), and better microscopic distribution homogeneities are widely accepted as BRCs for composite solid propellants (CSPs). [ 1b,2 ] As an oxidizer, CSPs are filled with crystalline AP, and their thermal decomposition patterns have a positive effect on the propellants ballistic feature. [ 1c,3 ] BRCs improves propellant combustion, reduces primary smoke, and encourages smooth BR.…”

“…[ 1b,2 ] As an oxidizer, CSPs are filled with crystalline AP, and their thermal decomposition patterns have a positive effect on the propellants ballistic feature. [ 1c,3 ] BRCs improves propellant combustion, reduces primary smoke, and encourages smooth BR. [ 4 ] While Fc‐based BRCs have impressive effects in amplifying the BR of CSPs, they have certain drawbacks such as sublime during curing and processing and migrate on the propellants to the surface after extended storage periods.…”

“…[ 4 ] While Fc‐based BRCs have impressive effects in amplifying the BR of CSPs, they have certain drawbacks such as sublime during curing and processing and migrate on the propellants to the surface after extended storage periods. [ 1c,5 ] Such shortcomings, in turn, can lead to poor aging [ 6 ] that reduces service life, changes devised burning parameters and damage the propellant system. [ 7 ]…”