The influence of dissociation reaction on ammonium nitrate thermal decomposition reaction

In order to investigate the influence of dissociation reaction on thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate (AN), biochar was selected as an adsorbent to interfere with the dissociation of AN. The TG-DSC results showed that the notable exothermic reaction of AN with the presence of 2% or 7% biochar took place. The decomposition temperature of AN decreased with increasing amount of biochar. The notable knee point was found in the TG curves. The activation energy of AN with biochar in the initial stage was higher than that of AN itself. Remote sensing Fourier transform infrared experiments found biochar induced AN decomposition at about 190 °C, which was also confirmed by the TG-MS results. After dissociation reaction, HNO₃ (g) and NH₃ (g) were adsorbed and crystalline of AN was formed on the surface of biochar. With the increasing temperature, NH₃ escaped from the surface of biochar, while HNO₃ (g) was stayed in biochar. HNO₃ (g) catalyzed the thermal decomposition of AN and also reacted with biochar. The results indicated that dissociation reaction of AN played an important role during AN thermal decomposition process. When dissociation reaction was changed, the thermal decomposition reaction of AN would also change, catalysis or inhibition AN thermal decomposition. It is a useful reference to guide the AN additives selection and to understand the mechanism for the AN decomposition accident.