Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Studies on Poly (2-methyl-5-vinyl tetrazole): An Insensitive Energetic Binder

Poly (2-methyl-5-vinyltetrazole) (PMVT), an insensitive polymer binder, particularly for propellant and plastic bonded explosive compositions has been synthesized. Acrylonitrile was polymerized to poly acrylonitrile which was tetrazolated to give polyvinyl tetrazole (PVT) and further methylated to give PMVT The polymers were characterized by IR and NMR. Intrinsic Viscosity of PAN and PVT was determined and Viscosity average molecular weight (M v) was calculated. Detailed thermal analysis was carried out using DSC and TGA. Life assessment of PMVT was also studied. PMVT has positive heat of formation, is thermally stable and insensitive to impact and friction. The molecular weight of PMVT was found to be 1,30,000.