Impact of Shock Waves on Molecular and Structural Response of Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate Crystal

The physical properties of potassium dihydrogen phosphate powder samples have been investigated before and after shock loading. The optical transmittance and bandgap energy were derived by ultraviolet (UV) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The molecular and structural stability of the test crystal after shock loading were confirmed. Test crystals were exposed to 50 and 100 controlled shock pulses with corresponding Mach number of 2.2 then probed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and powder x-ray diffraction analysis. FTIR spectra showed no considerable changes in the molecular bands of the crystal after shock loading. XRD analysis illustrated the appearance of a few secondary peaks after 50 and 100 shock pulses but retaining the original crystal phase, which may be due to orientation defects and microdistortions of the crystal caused by the impact of shock waves.