This paper comprises an extensive study on the evaluation of decontamination efficiency of three types of reactive organic suspensions (based on nanosized adsorbents) on two real chemical warfare agents: soman (GD) and sulfur mustard (HD). Three types of nanoparticles (ZnO, TiO2, and zeolite) were employed in the decontamination formulations, for enhancing the degradation of the toxic agents. The efficacy of each decontamination solution was investigated by means of GC-MS analysis, considering the initial concentration of toxic agent and the residual toxic concentration, measured at different time intervals, until the completion of the decontamination process. The conversion of the two chemical warfare agents (HD and GD) into their decontamination products was also monitored for 24 h.

The aim of this research has been to develop a new generation of eco-friendly binders, soluble at alkaline pH, which could allow facile recovery of explosive fillers without using organic solvents, while maintaining their chemical and physical characteristics. For this purpose, �smart� polymeric binders are to be designed based on acrylic acid and other acrylic monomers. In this view, theoretical and experimental studies have been performed in order to establish which synthesized polymer is adequate for the desired application.

Novel polyurethane-based binders, specifically designed for environmentally responsible rocket propellant composites, were obtained by employing the polyester-polyols that resulted from the degradation of polyethylene terephthalate waste. A new class of “greener” rocket propellants, comprising polyurethanes (based on recycled PET) as the binder, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as the eco-friendly oxidizer, and triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN) as the energetic plasticizer, together with aluminum as fuel and Fe2O3 as the catalyst, is herein reported. The components of the energetic mixtures were investigated (individually and as composite materials) through specific analytical tools: 1H-NMR, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, DTA and TGA, tensile and compression tests, DMA, and micro-CT. Moreover, the feasibility of this innovative solution is sustained by the ballistic performances exhibited by these composite materials in a subscale rocket motor, proving that these new formulations are suitable for rocket propellant applications.

The global concern in wastewater recycling technologies has grown steadily since the early 1990s and is gaining more and more interest due to the increase in water supply needs. This growing need affects many global regions and leads to an increase in the strictness of environmental regulation, both in developing and developed countries. Many countries, cities and local governments are trying to recycle wastewater as a potential source of water for various uses, especially non-potable uses, such as land use, water for toilets and industrial processes. Analysts and statisticians around the world are trying to provide a perspective on an industry that is poised to see significant developments in the next decade. The researches summarize the experimental tests carried out using a new cellulosic adsorbent material to purify the wastewater resulted from the industrial processes for leather manufacturing. The study highlights the influence of the pH used for the wastewater depollution. The tracked and measured parameters include the pH, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, ammoniac nitrogen, organic compounds extractable in organic solvents and the solid residue adsorbed by the material. The obtained values were discussed in concordance with the national legislation for wastewater treatment and the levels accepted for releasing the used water in the surface waters.

Nitrocellulose based propellants are the main materials used for ballistic and rocket applications. The chemical composition of the propellants, the loading density and propellant grain geometry are the decisive parameters that influence the performance parameters in ballistic application. In this paper the authors evaluate three models of combustion for energetic materials for the determination of heat of explosion and specific volume together with the adiabatic flame temperature. The authors select six types of propellant (two simple base propellants, two double base propellants based on nitroglycerine and two triple base propellants based on nitroguanidine) and the authors determined the heat of explosion and specific volume using a bomb calorimeter and a Julius-Peters device. The results obtained from the combustion models were compared to the experimental results and assumptions were done on the influence of pressure and temperature on the chemical composition of combustion gases produced by the confined deflagration of nitrocellulose-based propellants.