DFAMO/BAMO copolymer as a potential energetic binder: Thermal decomposition study

A novel energetic binder was prepared through the copolymerization between 3-difluoroaminomethyl-3-methyloxetane (DFAMO) and 3,3'-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO). With the help of thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the thermal decomposition study of poly(DFAMO/BAMO) was conducted to understand its decomposition behavior and kinetics, and the possible mechanism, which are crucial parameters as an energetic binder. The results showed that the difluoroamino and azido groups mainly contributed to the weight loss during the themolysis of the polymer. The activation energy of the first and second pyrolysis shoulder are 115 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1) and 165 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1), respectively. Additionally, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) of pyrolysis residues suggested that the complete pyrolysis of the azido groups occurred after the pyrolysis of difluoroamino. And the main degradation products of the polymer were CH3+, NH3, H2O, HF, HCN, N-2, NO, H2CO and CF4 by TG-FTIR-MS.