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Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Research and Development of High-performance Explosives
Published on: February 20, 2016
Energetic Coordination Compounds: Investigation of Aliphatic Ligands and Development of Prototype Detonators
Klaudia Pawlus1, Agnieszka Stolarczyk1, Tomasz Jarosz1
1Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.
Abstract:
In this work, energetic coordination compounds (ECCs) of transition metals (Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) containing aliphatic amines as ligands were synthesized: ethylenediamine; 1,3-diaminopropane; tris(2-aminoethyl)amine; tris(3-aminopropyl)amine. The compounds were investigated in terms of ignition/explosion temperature, friction and impact sensitivity. For selected compounds, structural characterisation was presented (IR-ATR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy) and their morphology was determined (SEM, powder XRD). They were also investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In order to assess the potential application of selected ECCs in detonators, underwater explosion tests were carried out, determining energetic performance. The results achieved for detonators containing ECCs were compared with those for reference detonators (containing pentaerythritol tetranitrate, PETN), indicating their potential use as a "green" alternative to nitric acid esters.
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