Sensitive explosive loaded in porous cellulose for improved stability

Abstract

Octogen (HMX) composites are widely concerned as defensing weapon warhead due to the superior stability and high energy density. However, there still remain huge challenges for the fabrication of HMX composites with high loading capacity as well as reduced impact sensitivity. Among the various ecofriendly materials reported to date, cellulose has been highlighted as a promising carrier for HMX because of its natural abundance, low cost, physicochemical robustness, lightweight, and recyclability. Herein, we demonstrate a straightforward, eco-friendly suspension atomization regeneration process to prepare cellulose aerogel microspheres (CAMs). Then HMX was homogeneously embedded into the porous CAMs to obtain HMX composite materials (HCMs). As a result, a three-dimensional (3D) network-structure filled with a large number of HMX particles (93.8%) was achieved with insensitive features. Specifically, the impact sensitivity was decreased by 137.13%, the friction sensitivity was reduced to 0%, and the thermal stability of composite energetic materials was also greatly improved. The detonation velocity was estimated as 8136 m/s, almost the same as the calculated value. The combination of cellulose aerogels and HMX broadens the application of cellulose in energetic materials and brings unprecedented potential for energetic aerogel materials with ultra-high loading capacity.