Nitrato Functionalized Polymers for High Energy Propellants and Explosives: Recent Advances

Future propellants and explosive research focus on developing compositions with less vulnerability without compromising performance. This has provided impetus for research in the area of high energy materials and compounds free from pollution, for safe handling, high performance, reliability and reproducibility. The energetic oxidizers and energetic binders are being developed in this scenario for use in composite propellants and explosives. In a propellant, the binder holds together the matrix containing solid oxidizer particles and finely divided metal particles. It provides structural integrity and aid the combustion of the propellant. Any new development in this area wherein the binder can contribute to the energetic is of immense importance. This can be achieved by incorporation of energetic groups such as nitrato (−ONO 2 ), azide (−N 3 ) or flurodinitro CF(NO 2 ) 2 as side chain or on to the existing polymer backbone. Among these, nitrato functionalized energetic binders can find application in myriad areas like boosters, plastic bonded explosives, gas generators and pyrogen igniters. The present article is a concise review on various types of nitrato binders; their synthesis, properties and their propellant studies.