Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
10:33
Research and Development of High-performance Explosives
Published on: February 20, 2016
Energetic multi-component salts of ammonium dinitramide with enhanced properties
Akachai Khumsri1, Monica C Chandwani1, Gary S Nichol1
1EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK. c.r.pulham@ed.ac.uk.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Three new energetic salts based on ammonium dinitramide (ADN) were synthesized. These advanced materials offer improved safety and performance for greener propellants.
Area of Science:
- Energetic materials science
- Green chemistry applications
Background:
- Ammonium dinitramide (ADN) is a promising oxidizer for energetic materials.
- Developing safer and more efficient propellants is crucial for environmental and performance reasons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel energetic multicomponent salts using ADN.
- To evaluate the properties of these new salts for potential applications in greener propellants.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of three ADN-based energetic multicomponent salts: ADN:GDN, ADN:GN, and ADN:NTO.
- Bulk production of phase-pure ADN:GDN and ADN:GN using mechanochemistry and spray drying.
Main Results:
- Achieved free-flowing powders with controlled particle size.
- Demonstrated reduced hygroscopicity and lower impact/friction sensitivity.
- Exhibited favorable oxygen balance and predictable DSC/TGA behavior.
Conclusions:
- Successful synthesis of novel ADN-based energetic salts.
- Mechanochemistry and spray drying are effective for producing high-quality energetic powders.
- These materials represent advancements in the development of safer, greener propellants.
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Nitrous acid and nitric acids are two types of acids containing nitrogen, among which nitrous acid is weaker than nitric acid. Nitrous acid with a pKa value of 3.37 ionizes in water to give a nitrite ion and the hydronium ion.
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by water loss...
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by water loss...
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01:19Diazonium Group Substitution: –OH and –H
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01:19Structure of Amines
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