Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Ammonium Nitrate Energetic Nanocomposites Processed by Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

The nanostructure composite of Resorcinol–Formaldehyde (RF) organic gel and ammonium nitrate (AN) oxidizer has been developed using sol-gel method. The composite of RF gel with recrystllized AN in the gel pores, containing about 85% AN offers nearly stoichiometric oxygen balance.  X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the presence of ammonium nitrate in the composite. Scanning electron microscopy indicated homogeneous microstructure of RF-AN composite with nanosized particles. Thermal analysis of the composites revealed the decomposition behaviour of RF-AN with sudden and high energy release comparable with monomolecular explosives. The sensitivity studies indicated that RF-AN composite are relatively insensitive as compared to conventional explosives like PETN and RDX and are safer to handle.