Synthesis and Effects of Two Novel Rare-Earth Energetic Complexes on Thermal Decomposition of Cyclotetramethylene Tetranitramine (HMX)

Abstract

In order to explore the effect of the energetic complex on the thermal decomposition HMX, two new rare-earth energetic complexes [La(tza)(NO3)2(H2O)4]n (1) and [Ce(tza)(NO3)2(H2O)4]n (2) (Htza = tetrazole-1-acetic acid) were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The obtained products were structurally characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). In addition, the compatibility of complex 1 with cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) was studied by DSC and FTIR, respectively. Structural analysis suggested that complex 1 exhibits an orthorhombic, P 21 21 21 space group, and the La (III) ion was 10-fold coordinated in a distorted double-capped antiprism configuration. Complex 2 featured a one-dimensional, right-handed helical infinite chain. The effect of complexes 1 and 2 on the thermal decomposition of HMX was investigated by DSC, which revealed that complex 1 showed a slightly better effect than 2 on the thermal decomposition of HMX and released more heat. Furthermore, complex 1 had good compatibility with HMX, indicating that it may act as a combustion promoter for nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) solid propellant.

Keywords

• energetic complex
• HMX
• promoter
• compatibility