Tetraamminecopper(II) Nitrate and Its Effects on Ammonium Nitrate(V)

Abstract

Tetraamminecopper(II) nitrate(V) (TACN) is a complex copper salt which is easily formed when ammonium nitrate (AN) comes into contact with copper. It is considered to be an unwanted contaminant of AN because of its sensitivity to mechanical stimuli and significant explosive properties. The formation of TACN by the reaction of copper with molten ammonium nitrate(V) was demonstrated by powder diffraction. Friction and impact sensitivity testing was performed and field experiments were then conducted to reveal the detonation parameters of TACN and its initiation capability towards ammonium nitrate. The dependence of the detonation velocity on charge diameter was revealed and the ideal detonation velocity of 3500 m·s −1 at 0.87 g·cm −3 was measured. AN with the addition of 16 wt.% of TACN was found to detonate when initiated with a small booster charge. Moreover, TACN was able to initiate detonation in fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate(V) under massive steel confinement. TACN should be therefore considered as a possible contributory initiation source in some large scale accidents. In this article, some properties of TACN are revealed which could be useful for the investigation of accidents.

Tetraamminecopper Perchlorate (TACP): Explosive Properties

“…They also match the detonation velocities measured in the cylinder tests and the values calculated by the EXPLO5. The infinite diameter detonation velocity of TACP is slightly lower compared to the previously published data on tetraamminecopper nitrate (TACN) at the same density [16] but it is much less diameter dependent. For 2 mm wall thickness, the measured detonation velocities were 3130 m s −1 and 2900 m s −1 in the 28 mm and 4 mm diameter aluminum tubes, respectively.…”

New coordination complexes-based gas-generating energetic composites

“…). Numerous complexes have been successfully synthesized and studied by numerous groups such as Cu(NH 3 ) 4 ( NO 3 ) 2 [19][20][21][22], Co(NH 3 ) 6 (NO 3 )) 2 [23,24], Mg(NH 3 ) 6 (NO 3 ) 2 [25,26],…”

In-Situ Thermochemical Shock-Induced Stress at the Metal/Oxide Interface Enhances Reactivity of Aluminum Nanoparticles

“…In this regard, Werner-type metal ammine complexes − such as tetraamine copper nitrate (Cu­(NH 3 ) 4 (NO 3 ) 2 /TACN) can be used with Al nanoparticles for two potential benefits. First, it can act as a reactive gas generator by exothermically (Δ H ∼ −644 kJ/mol) decomposing to NH x and NO x gases, leaving residual CuO to participate in a redox reaction with Al.…”

“…In this regard, Werner-type metal ammine complexes − such as tetraamine copper nitrate (Cu­(NH 3 ) 4 (NO 3 ) 2 /TACN) can be used with Al nanoparticles for two potential benefits. First, it can act as a reactive gas generator by exothermically (Δ H ∼ −644 kJ/mol) decomposing to NH x and NO x gases, leaving residual CuO to participate in a redox reaction with Al. This has important implications with respect to Al combustion as the phase transformation of Al during high-temperature oxidation processes together with the high mobility of Al ions through its oxide shell results in rapid sintering and agglomeration of Al nanoparticles, thereby impeding the progress of the energetic reaction. ,,− In-situ gas generation through polymeric additives has been effective in mitigating this problem, as gas generation during high-temperature decomposition of these polymers reduces sintering and agglomeration by pushing particles away from each other .…”