A Low‐Sensitivity Nanocomposite of CL‐20 and TATB

Abstract

In order to improve the safety of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) while preserving its high energy yield, a nanocomposite containing CL-20 and 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) with a particular structure is prepared using an facile and fast antisolvent crystallization method. Using this approach, which takes advantage of strong antisolvent and temperature effects, a lamellar arrangement structure is created consisting of nanosheets containing CL-20 and TATB, and further coated with dendritic nanometer-scale TATB. XRD and Raman spectra indicate that CL-20 in the resulting nanocomposite takes the form of α polymorph owing to the presence of ultrapure water. The HPLC results show that the TATB content of the nanocomposite is 20.2 wt%. When the surface coating of TATB is removed, 8 wt% TATB remains between the internal nanosheets. Due to the multiple desensitization effects of this structure, the nanocomposite has much lower sensitivity, roughly comparable to that of the insensitive explosive LLM-105. Thermal analysis by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimeter indicates that the thermal decomposition activity of the nanocomposite is higher than those of raw materials, and in addition, its thermal stability is greater.

Study on Mechanical Improvement of CL‐20 Energetic Co‐Crystals Based PBX by Surface Modification

“…Bolton was firstly reported that the addition of TNT can lowered the sensitivity of CL-20, due to augmenting lubrication and energy absorption of low melting point TNT [7]. CL-20/HMX and CL-20/TATB co-crystal maintained good thermal stability and reducing sensitivity, due to the enhanced hydrogen bonding force during binding at molecular level [8][9]. Moreover, with the introduction of small molecule compound, such as N 2 O [10], the thermal stability and mechanical sensitivity of CL-20 were improved.…”

Largely desensitized and stabilized CL-20 crystals obtained through reinforcement with cross-linked graphene oxide

“…2 Of these polymorphs, ε-CL-20 has been found to possess the highest density (theoretically 2.04 g cm −1 ) and best thermal stability. 3,4 The ε-CL-20 performs well because of its high density, detonation velocity, and excellent oxygen balance, which are much better than for the widely used nitramines 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 1,3,5,7tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). 5 Unfortunately, its relatively high mechanical sensitivity brings risks in its application.…”

Acid-Catalyzed Condensation of Benzamide with Glyoxal, and Reaction Features

“…CL-20 excels compared to the other high-energy explosive materials such as HMX, RDX, PETN, etc. CL-20 is viewed as a potential component of solid propellants [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] and composite explosives [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Despite the merits of CL-20, its wide application is hindered by its high manufacturing cost.…”