Multimodal Characterization of Recovered Detonation Soots

Nanodiamond and other carbon allotropes are pervasive throughout the solid residue produced by the detonation of many common high explosive materials, with the specific composition depending on many factors including the initial chemistry and detonation environment. Detonation models predict which allotropes may form, but experimental validation is necessary. Synchrotron-based, ultrafast measurements provide insight into early events in carbon condensation from detonating high explosives. However, data interpretation is often difficult absent additional information about the nature of the nanoscopic constituents of the produced soot. Detonating similar explosive charges and capturing the early particulates in ice allows for clean (minimal environmental carbon) recovery and mitigates potential changes induced by prolonged particulate burn in air. Transmission electron microscopy, x-ray spectroscopies, and other methods yield insight into the morphology, phase, chemistry, and elemental composition of the recovered carbonaceous soots. We use the well-researched Composition B (40% TNT and 60% RDX) as a reference point, and present comparative data from explosives such as HNS, DNTF, TATB-based formulations, and others, to show trends in carbon allotrope, morphology, and elemental composition of the condensate in relation to the initial chemistry and calculated position of the Chapman-Jouget point and subsequent evolution through the carbon phase diagram.