Separation and characterization of a hydrogen getter product mixture. [Diacetylenic compound (HCPB)

Abstract

The potentially negative effects of hydrogen gas on a weapon system can be minimized through the inclusion of a hydrogen getter. One hydrogen getter under study at Sandia-Livermore is a diacetylenic compound (known as HCPB) which chemically reacts with hydrogen, incorporating it into the reaction products that are formed. These reaction products may have an adverse effect upon weapon reliability, and so must be clearly defined. The analysis of two HCPB reaction product mixtures is the subject of this report. Starting with a 1 g solid mixture of HCPB reaction products, a thermal gradient sublimation separation method was developed to isolate its six major components. Four of these were unambiguously identified through a combination of gas chromatography, IR, proton NMR, carbon-13 NMR, and chemical ionization mass spectroscopy. (The identification of the remaining two is in progress.) The relative amounts of the six compounds and their physical states (solid or oil) were also determined. The second mixture of HCPB reaction products was a viscous, oily material, in contrast to the solid appearance of the first mixture. Its analysis showed the same compounds as were present in the first mixture; however, the second mixture contained higher percentages of compounds which had beenmore » identified as oils. This result rationalized the contrasting physical states of the two mixtures, providing information relevant to the compatibility evaluation of the getter system. 1 ref., 27 figs.« less