Study investigates thermal decomposition and kinetic properties of an energetic composite, suggesting its potential for propellant applications.
Key Points
The research aims to characterize the thermal behavior and kinetic features of a novel energetic composite made from nitrochitosan and diethylene glycol dinitrate.
Formulated and characterized a nitrochitosan/diethylene glycol dinitrate composite.
Utilized Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy for structural analysis.
Conducted thermogravimetric analysis for decomposition study.
Applied differential scanning calorimetry and isoconversional kinetic modeling.
Assessed activation energies for the decomposition stages.
Identified a three-step decomposition process for the composite.
Discovered that the first decomposition stage has lower activation energy (97.2 kJ/mol) than typical nitrocellulose propellants.
Second stage exhibited a higher activation energy (139.3 kJ/mol), indicating enhanced thermal reactivity.
Demonstrated the composite's structural integrity with no chemical alteration from the plasticizer.