Abstract Experimental investigation into the feasibility of optically sensitising an insensitive explosive, FOX‐7 (1,1‐Diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethene) by doping gold nanoparticles (GNPs) has been conducted. The commercially available GNPs were specifically designed in their particle shape and size to strongly absorb at wavelength igniting laser (808 nm). ignitibility was significantly increased as e...

A fully integrated UV Townsend Effect Plasma Spectroscopy (TEPS)-Raman system has been constructed for use of standoff detection of energetic materials. A single 266nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser was used for Raman excitation and TEPS plasma ignition. A nearly simultaneous 10.6um CO2 laser is employed for the signal enhancement in the TEPS measurements. Chemometric techniques are presented for anal...

This combined experimental, theoretical and comparative study details the syntheses and chemical characterisation of two new energetic polynitromethyl tetrazole derivatives, namely, 2-(2-nitro-2-azapropyl)-5-(trinitromethyl)-2 H-tetrazole and its fluorine-containing analogue 2-(2-nitro-2-azapropyl)-5-(fluorodinitromethyl)-2 H-tetrazole. Their crystal structures and energetic behaviour are compa...

A one-step method which involves exfoliating graphite materials (GIMs) off into graphene materials (GEMs) in aqueous suspension of CL-20 and forming CL-20/graphene materials (CL-20/GEMs) composites by using ball milling is presented. The conversion of mixtures to composite form was monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The impact sensitivities of CL...