Thermal decomposition of energetic materials 67. Hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF) rates and pathways under combustionlike conditions

Hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF), N2H5[C(NO2)3], holds promise as a clean-burning, high-energy oxidizer for solid rocket propellants. By using T-jump/FTIR spectroscopy, the thermal decomposition process is outlined in the 130°–400°C range, which includes surface melt/foam formation and self-ignition events. Reaction regimes containing evaporation, conversion to NH4[C(NO2)3], and progressive decomposition into CO2, CO, N2O, NO, and H2O are observed. Based on the products these reaction regimes become increasingly exothermic at higher temperature. Decomposition induction-time kinetics (Ea = 25 kcal/mol, 1n B(s) = 25.3) of the melt/foam layer were determined from time-to-exotherm data and give reasonable agreement with the measured combustion characteristics.