Thermal Studies on Energetic Compounds

The nitrate complexes of copper, nickel and zinc with diethylenetriamine (dien) i.e. [Cu(dien)₂](NO₃)₂, [Ni(dien)₂](NO₃)₂·2H₂O and [Zn(dien)₂](NO₃)₂ have been prepared and characterised. Thermal studies were undertaken using TG-DTG, DSC, ignition delay (t _id) and ignition temperature (IT) measurements. Impact sensitivity was measured using drop mass technique. The kinetic parameters for both non-isothermal and isothermal decomposition of the complexes were evaluated by employing Coats-Redfern (C-R) method and Avrami-Erofeev (A-E) equations (n=2 and 3), respectively. The kinetic analysis, using isothermal TG data, was also made on the basis of model free isoconversional method and plausible mechanistic pathways for their decomposition are proposed. Rapid process was assessed by ignition delay measurements. All these complexes were found to be insensitive towards impact of 2 kg mass hammer up to the height limit (110 cm) of the instrument used. The heat of reaction (?H) for each stage of decomposition was determined using DSC.