DNTF/Al/NC Energetic Nanocomposite Fibers Fabricated by Electrospinning: Synergistically Enhanced Energy Release and Safety

Uniform DNTF/Al/NC energetic composite fibers with evenly dispersed components were prepared by electrospinning. • The interconnected fibrous framework accelerates the heat and mass transfer. • Electrospun fibers exhibit better combustion performance and safety performance. Although 3,4-dinitrofurazanfuroxan (DNTF) is a prominent high-energy explosive, its high mechanical sensitivity compromises its safety and limits the wide scale application in advanced solid propellants. To address this issue, DNTF/Al/Nitrocellulose (NC) energetic nanocomposite fibers with different NC contents were fabricated by electrospinning technology. The microstructure, morphological characteristics, and chemical composition were fully characterized by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS. SEM results confirm that the sample containing 40 wt % NC achieves uniform component dispersion and effectively reduces particle agglomeration, presenting the optimal morphological structure. The thermal decomposition behavior, combustion performance and mechanical sensitivity of the DNTF/Al/NC energetic nanocomposite fibers were systematically investigated in comparison with physically mixed composites. Benefiting from the continuous fibrous network structure, the DNTF/Al/NC energetic nanocomposite fibers exhibited accelerated heat and mass transfer kinetics, as evidenced by sharper exothermic peaks and intensified heat release behavior during thermal decomposition. Combustion tests demonstrate that the optimized composite delivers a shortened ignition delay time from 37.45 s to 31.80 s, and an elevated combustion temperature from 230.7 °C to 268.2 °C, realizing remarkably enhanced energy release efficiency. Moreover, the critical friction load increases from 216 N to 252 N and the impact sensitivity drop height increases from 35 cm to 45 cm, which verifies the significant reduction in mechanical sensitivity and prominent improvement in operational safety. In summary, the electrospun DNTF/Al/NC energetic nanocomposite fibers combine high energy release capacity with excellent safety performance. This facile structural modulation strategy offers a new approach to the rational design and controllable preparation of high performance energetic composite materials with balanced energy and safety. Download: Download high-res image (416KB) Download: Download full-size image