Synthesis,Performance, and Thermal Behavior of a Novel Insensitive EDNA/DAT Co‐crystal

Due to the acidity and the limited applications of 1,4‐dinitro‐1,4‐diazabutane (EDNA), a novel nitrogen rich energetic co‐crystal based on EDNA and 1,5‐diaminotetrazole (DAT) in a 1:2 molar ratio was synthesized. The formation of the co‐crystal was tested by scanning electron microscope (SEM), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Based on the elemental analysis and the enthalpy of combustion obtained by the calorimetric bomb, the enthalpy of formation was calculated to be 196.9 kJ · mol^–1. Sensitivity to impact was measured and 50 % probability of initiation was 9.7 J for the co‐crystal. In addition, the detonation characteristics were predicted by EXPLO5 Code. The detonation velocity (D) and the detonation pressure (P) of the co‐crystal are 8254.5 m · s^–1 and 26.7 GPa, respectively. The thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of the co‐crystal and the coformer were described using nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) techniques. There is an obvious difference between the thermal behavior of the co‐crystal and the coformer. The activation energy of the co‐crystal (125.3 kJ · mol^–1) is lower than the coformer. The obtained co‐crystal has high nitrogen content and acceptable sensitivity to external stimuli, which makes it promising for expanding the reuse of EDNA in ammunition after overcomeing its acidity problem.