Taming of 3,4-di(nitramino)furazan II:high-energy coordination complexes with exceptional catalytic activity for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

3,4-Di(nitramino)furazan (DNAF) offers advantages like simple synthesis, high oxygen content (42.1%), and strong detonation (D = 9376 m s⁻¹, P = 40.5 GPa), but suffers from low thermal stability (T_d = 99 °C) and mechanical sensitivity (IS < 1 J, FS < 5 N). In this study, we designed a series of Co(II) and Ni(II) energetic complexes (ECP-1 to ECP-8, (energetic catalyst for propellant) based on it, which showed improved thermal stability (T_d = 239.5–253.0 °C) and reduced sensitivity (IS ≥ 10 J, FS ≥ 172 N), along with high energy content (D = 7345–8041 m s⁻¹, P = 21.83–32.0 GPa). Evaluation through TG-DSC revealed that just 2 wt% of these complexes could lower the decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate (AP) effectively by 48.11–119.33 °C, reduce its activation energy by 110.65–156.10 kJ mol⁻¹, and increase combustion rate by 14–38%. This study provides insights into stabilizing DNAF through coordination complexes, with potential applications as combustion additives for solid propellants.