High Pressure Characteristics of Melt-Castable Energetic of BNFF

Developing the efficient application and modeling of energetic materials requires a good knowledge of their response to high pressure and high temperature. Of particular interest are pressure and temperature effects on melt-castable energetics, because pressure and temperature can change the balance between the crystalline and molten states, affecting their processability, stability, and performance. Here, a high energy density compound of 3, 4-bis (3-nitrofurazan-4-yl) furoxan (BNFF or DNTF) was subjected to high compression and elevated temperatures, using a diamond anvil cell in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy and optical imaging. The experiments were performed on crystalline and metastable, super-cooled fluid phases to examine their stability and reactivity. Despite the evolution of Raman spectra with pressure, structural and chemical stability of crystalline BNFF was demonstrated to at least 20 GPa. The molten state behavior was monitored with changes in Boson peak, indicating formation of energetic glass above 5 GPa. The molecular processes governing interplay between different phases are discussed.