Nitrocellulose catalyzed with nanothermite particles: advanced energetic nanocomposite with superior decomposition kinetics

ABSTRACT

Manganese oxide with active surface sites can experience superior catalytic activity. MnO₂ nanoparticles, of 11.4 nm particle size, were developed. Nitrocellulose (NC) was adopted as an energetic binder. Colloidal MnO₂/Al nanothermite particles were integrated into the NC matrix via the co-precipitation technique. Nanothermite particles experienced an increase in NC decomposition enthalpy by 150% as well as enhanced reaction propagation index by 261%. A kinetic study demonstrated that nanothermite particles experienced a drastic decrease in NC activation energy by – 42 and – 40 kJ · mol⁻¹ using Kissinger and KAS models, respectively. Novel energetic nanocomposite with superior combustion enthalpy, propagation index, and the activation energy was developed.

KEYWORDS:

• Energetic materials
• hydrothermal synthesis
• nanoparticles
• thermites

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).