Elucidating the effect of nitrocellulose-encapsulated MgAl-CuO on the thermal behavior of double base propellant based on nitrocellulose and diethylene glycol dinitrate

This study aims to elucidate the potential effect of encapsulated nanothermite on the characteristics and thermo-kinetic features of double base NC/DEGDN propellant. Nitrocellulose was used as a coating material to encapsulate the MgAl-CuO nanothermite, creating a core-shell structure. The prepared energetic formulations were subjected to thorough characterization using various techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, calvet calorimeter analyses, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Experimental results confirmed the uniform distribution of the nitrocellulose-encapsulated MgAl-CuO (NC@MgAl-CuO) particles within the NC/DEGDN matrix. DSC findings highlighted that the addition of NC@MgAl-CuO nanothermite significantly increased the total heat release of the NC/DEGDN propellant from 3787 to 4175 J/g. The kinetic parameters associated with the thermal decomposition of the developed energetic formulations were also predicted using isoconversional kinetic methods, including (TAS, it-KAS, and VYA). Thermokinetic findings demonstrated the notable impact of MgAl-CuO particles coated with NC on the reactivity and catalytic behavior of NC/DEGDN propellant. Specifically, the Arrhenius parameters of NC/DEGDN formulation is decreased by 32% when the NC@MgAl-CuO nanothermite was introduced. Overall, this study serves as a valuable reference for future research focused on the investigation of coated metastable intermolecular composites and their effects on the reactivity and combustion features of solid propellants.