The potentials of TiO2nanocatalyst on HMX thermolysis

Even though HMX is one of the most powerful highly explosive materials; HMX-based propellants demonstrated complexity of burning rate control as well as high pressure exponent (n). In addition, HMX is insensitive to common catalyst. TiO(2)can offer novel catalyzing ability for HMX. Highly-crystalline, mono-dispersed TiO(2)NPs of 5.0 nm particle size with proper surface area (26.87 +/- 0. 36 m(2)/g) were fabricated using hydrothermal processing. TiO(2)NPs were re-dispersed in organic solvent and effectively-integrated into HMX via co-precipitation technique; the impact of TiO(2)NPs on HMX thermal behavior was investigated using DSC and TGA. TiO(2)NPs exposed superior catalytic performance; the endothermic phase change of HMX at 187 degrees C was decreased by 43.3%. The main exothermic decomposition peak was decreased by 10 degrees C with enhanced total heat release by 46.7%. The catalytic performance of TiO(2)NPs could be ascribed to the release of active surface & x22e;Hradicals that could induce HMX decomposition via hydrogen abstraction. Furthermore, TiO(2)NPs could adsorb evolved NO(2)on its surface with surge in total heat release in condensed phase.