Preparation, characterization of RDX/GAP nanocomposites, and study on the thermal decomposition behavior

1, 3, 5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazinane/Glycidylazide polymer (RDX/GAP) energetic nanocomposites were fabricated via a facile sol-gel method. Morphologies and structure characterization of RDX/GAP energetic nanocomposites were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). SEM images indicated the sizes of RDX particles in RDX/GAP nanocomposites were in nanoscale. FT-IR spectra of RDX/GAP nanocomposites showed the conjunct characteristics of RDX and GAP, implying RDX particles were trapped in GAP gel matrix. Raman detection revealed the crystal form of RDX maintained original α-form during sol-gel process. The thermal kinetics and thermodynamics of RDX/GAP energetic nanocomposites were investigated by differential thermal analyzer (DTA) under various heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20°C min−1). The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the energetic nanocomposites, such as activation energy (Ea), activation enthalpy (ΔH≠), activation entropy (ΔS≠), and activation Gibbs free energy of (ΔG≠) were obtained. The activation energies of RDX/GAP nanocomposites were lower than those of raw RDX and GAP-RDX mechanical mixtures, indicating RDX/GAP nanocomposites presented high thermolysis activities. The thermodynamic parameters presented a rising trend when the contents of RDX increase. The critical temperature of thermal explosion (Tb) and the self-accelerating decomposition temperature (TSADT) based on the activation energy were also obtained.