Thermal decomposition of energetic materials 67. Hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF) rates and pathways under combustionlike conditions

Abstract

Hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF), N 2H 5[C(NO 2) 3], holds promise as a clean-burning, high-energy oxidizer for solid rocket propellants. By using T-jump/FTIR spectroscopy, the thermal decomposition process is outlined in the 130°–400°C range, which includes surface melt/foam formation and self-ignition events. Reaction regimes containing evaporation, conversion to NH 4[C(NO 2) 3], and progressive decomposition into CO 2, CO, N 2O, NO, and H 2O are observed. Based on the products these reaction regimes become increasingly exothermic at higher temperature. Decomposition induction-time kinetics ( E a = 25 kcal/mol, 1n B( s) = 25.3) of the melt/foam layer were determined from time-to-exotherm data and give reasonable agreement with the measured combustion characteristics.