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Studies on kinetics and mechanism of initial thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose

Isothermal and non-isothermal techniques

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Abstract

The thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose (NC) 12.1% N, has been studied with regard to kinetics, mechanism, morphology and the gaseous products thereof, using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot stage microscopy.

The kinetics of the initial stage of thermolysis ofNC in condensed state has been investigated by isothermal high temperature infrared spectroscopy (IR). The decomposition ofNC in KBr matrix in the temperature range of 142–151°C shows rapid decrease in O−NO2 band intensity, suggesting that the decomposition of NC occurs by the rupture of O−NO2 bond. The energy of activation for this process has been determined with the help of Avrami-Erofe'ev equation (n=1) and is ≈188.35 kJ·mol−1. Further, the IR spectra of the decomposition products in the initial stage of thermal decomposition ofNC, indicates the presence of mainly NO2 gas and aldehyde.

Zusammenfassung

Im Hinblick auf Kinetik, Mechanismus, Morphologie und den gasförmigen Produkten wurde mittels Thermogravimetrie und Differential-Thermoanalyse, IR-Spektroskopie, Differential-Scanningkalorimetrie und dem Heiztischmikroskop die thermische Zersetzung von Nitrozellulose (NC) mit 12.1% N untersucht.

Die Kinetik des einleitenden Schrittes der Thermolyse vonNC im kondensierten Aggregatzustand wurde mittels isothermer Hochtemperatur-Infrarotspektroskopie (IR) untersucht. Die Zersetzung vonNC in einer KBr-Matrix im Temperaturbereich 142–151°C zeigt ein schnelles Abnehmen der O−NO2 Bandenintensität, was darauf hindeutet, daß die Zersetzung von NC durch die Spaltung der O−NO2 Bindung erfolgt. Die Aktivierungsenergie für diesen Vorgang wurde mittels der Gleichung von Avrami-Erofe'ev (n=1) ermittelt und beträgt ca. 188.35 kJ/mol. Weiterhin zeigen die IR-Spektren der Zersetzungsprodukte im einleitenden Schritt der thermischen Zersetzung vonNC die Gegenwart von hauptsächlich NO2-Gas und Aldehyd.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Explosives Research and Development Laboratory, Sutarwadi, 411 008, Pune, India

    P. S. Makashir, R. R. Mahajan & J. P. Agrawal

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  1. P. S. Makashir
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  2. R. R. Mahajan
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  3. J. P. Agrawal
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Makashir, P.S., Mahajan, R.R. & Agrawal, J.P. Studies on kinetics and mechanism of initial thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose. Journal of Thermal Analysis 45, 501–509 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02548782

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02548782

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