Energetic properties of copper azide nanoparticles encapsulated within a conductive porous matrix via electrosynthesis

The copper-based azide (CA), as a sustainable alternative to currently-used primary explosives, will play a critical role in the deployment of miniature initiating systems owing to its outstanding blasting power and environmentally benign nature. However, a secure and controlled synthesis still remains challenging for the high-performance CA-based energetic film. Here, a conductive metal-organic framework (MOF) of cuprous 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ) is employed as a template for the electrochemical preparation of the CA nanoparticles encapsulated with conductive porous matrix. Impressively, the composition, morphology, energetic characteristics (1090 similar to 2780 Jmiddotg(-1)) and electrostatic sensitivity (0.19 similar to 12.3 mJ) of such CA/CuTCNQ energetic films can be easily tuned by carefully adjusting current density and azidation time in order to achieve the tailored energy release in the form of combustion or detonation. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide valuable insights for the electrochemical azidation mechanism of the CA/CuTCNQ film. This work pioneers a new pathway to develop the CA composite film as an interesting energetic material for advanced initiating applications.

Automated summary

This study explores the use of copper-based azide as a sustainable alternative to primary explosives and develops a secure and controlled synthesis method for high-performance energetic films. The composition, morphology, and energetic characteristics of the films can be easily adjusted to achieve tailored energy release.