New 5-Aminotetrazole-Based Energetic Polymers: Synthesis, Structure and Properties

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Energetic Materials

Background:

• Development of novel energetic binders is crucial for advanced applications.
• Existing energetic polymers like glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) have limitations in density and nitrogen content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel N-glycidyl-5-aminotetrazole-based homopolymers and copolymers.
• To evaluate their properties as potential energetic binders.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis via nucleophilic substitution and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.
• Characterization using NMR, IR, elemental analysis, GPC, DSC, and density measurements.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of N-glycidyl-5-aminotetrazole homopolymers and copolymers with varied energetic element ratios.
• Nitration of the homopolymer enhanced energy content with terminal ONO2 groups and nitrate anions.
• Polymers exhibited higher density and nitrogen content compared to GAP.
• Demonstrated possibility of creating branched energetic polymers.

Conclusions:

• Aminotetrazole-containing polymers offer improved thermal stability, density, and nitrogen content.
• These novel polymers are attractive candidates for energetic binder scaffolds.