R1-A.2: Characterization of Energetic Materials Under Extreme Conditions

Commonly available, nonconventional energetic materials such as H2O2, ammonium nitrates (AN), as well as reactive materials (e.g., mixtures of metals and metal oxides), and conventional plastic explosives primarily made of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX), cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX), and triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB), are often materials used in terrorist acts and become threats to homeland security. Thus, characterizing thermochemical properties of these materials at the blast-relevant conditions of pressure, temperature, and composition is critical for developing chemical methods to mitigate the associated threats. In this year, we have completed the investigation of chemical sensitivity of AN and its mixtures with hexane (i.e., ANFO) and aluminum (Ammonal), and made signifi cant progress on main group I peroxides, including Li2O2 and Na2O2 – adding to the previously studied H2O2. The experiments employ diamond anvil cells (DAC), confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy, and thirdgeneration synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The results on both AN and peroxides are signifi cant not only to understanding the fundamental properties of these high-value energetic materials, but also to gaining insights into what causes chemical sensitivity in energetic materials and fi nding the conditions limiting blast or detonation of AN and peroxides.