Nitrated Bacterial Cellulose-Based Energetic Nanocomposites as Propellants and Explosives for Military Applications

In this study, nitrated bacterial cellulose (NBC) energetic binder was introduced to prepare NBC-based nanocomposite energetic materials (nEMs) through a combined simple and safe sol–gel method and the freeze-drying technology. A series of analytical and test methods were systematically conducted to characterize the structure, composition, thermal properties, and safety performance of the materials. The results indicated that the particles of nitramine explosives were dispersed and embedded homogeneously in the three-dimensional (3D) porous cross-linked construction of the NBC gel matrix; the crystal growth of the explosive particles was restricted, which led to nanometer-scale composites. The thermal analysis demonstrated that the peak temperature of the composite (e.g., NBC/CL-20: 224.8 °C) was reduced and produced substantial heat release (e.g., NBC/CL-20: 3346 J·g–1) during the process of decomposition. In addition, the mechanism of thermal decomposition was probed, and cyclic catalytic decomposition between the NBC gel and explosives may exist. The sensitivity decreased visibly because of the existence of the cross-linked structure of the gel matrix, which could act as a buffer system to mitigate the release stimulated from the surroundings. Accordingly, this investigation may provide the promising potential for NBC-based energetic composites used in explosives and propellants in the military, and further promote the methodology for manufacturing energetic nanocomposites.