Nickel hydrazine nitrate/TNT hybrid: toward novel castable energetic nanocomposite with customized performance and decomposition kinetics via novel synergistic effect

Abstract

Advanced energetic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can expose novel characteristics. Highly crystalline nickel hydrazine nitrate (NHN) MOF of 50 nm size was developed via wet coordination. NHN experienced superior decomposition enthalpy of 3100 J g−1 at 222 °C using differential scanning calorimetry. NHN could act as a sensitizer for trinitrotoluene (TNT) and could boost its decomposition enthalpy, detonation velocity, and decomposition kinetics. NHN nanoparticles were effectively integrated into TNT energetic matrix; proper particle dispersion was verified via energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, whereas TNT experienced decomposition enthalpy of 340 J g−1; NHN boosted TNT decomposition enthalpy by 282%, with decrease in main decomposition temperature by 31 °C. NHN/TNT nanocomposite revealed a decrease in TNT activation energy by − 23.5% and − 22% via Kissinger and KAS models, respectively. The synergistic effect of NHN on TNT was ascribed its high decomposition enthalpy, gaseous products. NHN could secure novel catalytic effect on TNT decomposition with increase in detonation velocity by 11%; this was ascribed to the release of active hydrogen that could support CH-α attack with the exclusive formation of nickel nanocatalyst.