High-Nitrogen Energetic Materials of 1,2,4,5-Tetrazine Family: Thermal and Combustion Behaviors

Abstract

Considerable recent attention has been focused on research and development of high-nitrogen energetic materials. Among polynitrogen energetic materials, 1,2,4,5-tetrazine derivatives are of particular interest owing to their high density, thermostability, and remarkable insensitivity to electrostatic discharge, friction, and impact. The purpose of the present work is to analyze possible application areas of different types of tetrazine-based energetic materials reasoning from their peculiar combustion properties. Study of thermal stability of tetrazine derivatives has shown that, in most cases, the stability of the substance is determined by decomposition of the less stable substitute rather than the tetrazine cycle itself. Combustion and thermocouple-aided studies have revealed that tetrazines are mostly low-volatile substances with high burning surface temperatures that, in turn, predetermine the condensed-phase combustion mechanism. The lack or low content of oxygen in tetrazine-based energetic materials results in formation of high-enthalpy species among combustion products, thus preventing from full release of energy stored in the material.