Energetic Nitrogen-Rich Polymers with a Tetrazene-Based Backbone

New energetic polymers were synthesized from monomers containing a trans-2-tetrazene unit. In contrast to traditional binders, such as inert hydroxytelechelic polybutadiene or glycidyl azide polymers-in which the energetic features are on the side chains-the energetic groups in the polytetrazenes are incorporated directly in the polymer backbone. Thermal analyses demonstrated that decomposition occurs at approximately 130 degrees C, regardless of the polymer structure. Glass-transition temperatures ranged from -34.2 to 0.2 degrees C and could be lowered further (to -61 degrees C) with the help of a new diazidotetrazene energetic plasticizer. Interestingly, hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) enabled complete, room-temperature depolymerization within 1 week. This depolymerization should enable the recycling of unused pyrotechnic compositions based on these new binders.

Automated summary

New energetic polymers based on polytetrazenes have direct incorporation of energetic groups in the polymer backbone, with decomposition temperature at around 130 degrees Celsius and glass transition temperatures ranging from -34.2 to 0.2 degrees Celsius, lowering to -61 degrees Celsius with a new diazidotetrazene plasticizer. Complete room-temperature depolymerization within 1 week is achieved using hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), enabling recycling of pyrotechnic compositions with these new binders.