Abstract
Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), an energetic propellant is associated with high sensitivity towards external stimuli and low thermal stability. To address these issues, the present study deals with the design of Estane 5702 thermoplastic urethane (TPU) based formulation as a novel nanoencapsulation system for the efficient storage of RDX. The RDX encapsulated polymeric formulations were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method. The results indicated the maximum encapsulation efficiency of around 87.7% for the TPU:RDX (1.6:8.4 w/w) encapsulated system. The structure and chemical composition were characterized using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), particle size distribution (PSD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The thermochemical properties and decomposition characteristics were determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The TGA analysis of RDX encapsulated polymeric systems displayed a relatively more controlled weight % loss as compared to bulk RDX. DSC analysis of RDX encapsulated spheres confirmed the crystalline phase of encapsulated RDX based on the endothermic peak around 203 °C and an exothermic peak at 240 °C, related to the melting and decomposition process of RDX respectively. The method of preparation of RDX encapsulated TPU formulations was facile, economical, and provided an effective route to achieve high encapsulation which can find promising applications in the storage of friction-sensitive RDX for both military and civil fields.
Published Version
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