Nanocrystalline Pentaerythritoltetranitrate using Sol-Gel Process

  • Sanjay Vishwasrao Ingale Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
  • Pratap B. Wagh Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
  • P. U. Sastry Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
  • A. K. Patra Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
  • R. Tewari Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
  • I. K. Singh Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
  • S. B. Phapale Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
  • R. D. Wasnik High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • A. Subhananda Rao High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Satish C. Gupta Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.594
Keywords: Explosives, sol-gel process, PETN, xerogel, TEM

Abstract

The secondary explosives developed with reduced particle size tend to be more insensitive for mechanical stimuli and may release energy with faster rate and gaining more importance nowadays. Therefore, aiming to reduce the particle size of one of the popular explosives, viz., pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN) to the nanometer range, a method for preparation of nanocrystalline PETN in the silica (SiO2) gel matrix using sol-gel process has been demonstrated. The PETN-SiO2 xerogels were prepared containing PETN content ranging from 50 per cent to 90 per cent (w/w) and the xerogels were characterised using different techniques. An exothermic peak at around 185 oC preceded by an endotherm in thermal analysis accompanied with weight loss in the temperature range from 150 oC to 200 oC   for the xerogel confirmed the presence of PETN in xerogel. Infrared spectra of xerogels showed peaks at around 1285 cm-1 and 1700 cm-1 assigned to O-NO2 and C-O bond representing PETN. Small angle x-ray scattering measurements on xerogels indicated that PETN entered in the pores of silica matrix. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that cystalline PETN    with particle size of around 15 nm dispersed in silica xerogel. The specific surface area for the PETN-SiO2 (90:10) xerogels was found to be 75 m2/g.

Defence Science Journal, 2011, 61(6), pp.534-539, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.594

Author Biographies

Sanjay Vishwasrao Ingale, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Mr Sanjay V. Ingale completed his MSc in Physics with specialisation in Materials Science from Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Since 2002, he is working in the Applied Physics Division, BARC. He is involved in development and processing of nano structured materials and energetic materials.
Pratap B. Wagh, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Dr P.B. Wagh obtained his PhD(Physics) from Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Presently, he is working as Scientific Officer ‘E’ at BARC. His main areas of research include synthesis and characterisation of nano structured Aerogel materials and Energetic materials. He has about 50 research publications in International journals to his credit.
P. U. Sastry, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Dr P.U. Sastry obtained his MSc from University of Hyderabad and PhD from University of Bombay, Mumbai. Currently, he is working as a scientist in BARC, Mumbai. His research interests are investigations of structure property correlations in condensed matter physics using x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques.
A. K. Patra, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Dr A.K. Patra obtained his MSc in Physics from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. He joined BARC in 1986. Currently, he is working on small-angle (x-ray and neutron) scattering studies.
R. Tewari, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Dr R. Tewari working in the field of Materials Science with expertise in the field of electron microscopy and is involved in the development of various zirconium, niobium and iron- based alloys systems.
I. K. Singh, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Mr I.K. Singh completed his BSc (Physics) from R.K.D. College, Magadh University, Bihar, in 2002. He joined BARC as CAT- I trainee in 2007. Presently, he is working in Applied Physics Division as Scientific Assistant B. His main area of work includes development of nano structured energetic materials.
S. B. Phapale, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Mr S. B. Phapale joined BARC as Scientific Assistant in 2006 after completing his BSc (Chemistry). His research interests are studies regarding material chemistry and thermodynamic data reliability with expertise in Thermodynamic study of reactor material and study of metallic fuel and characterisation.
R. D. Wasnik, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Mr R.D. Wasnik obtained his BE (Chemical) from REC, Rourkela. Presently, he is working in High Explosives Division, HEMRL. He has been instrumental in the development of technologies of high explosives for warheads of missiles. He got Technology Group Award (as a leader of the team) for the year 2005.
A. Subhananda Rao, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Dr A. Subhananda Rao obtained his ME(Aeronautics) from IISc, Bangolare and completed his doctorate from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Presently, he is Director of HEMRL, Pune. He has been instrumental in development of several software for design and performance prediction of solid propulsion units. He has designed developed, productionised more than 30 indigenous propulsion systems for strategic and tactical missiles. He has been associated with development of propellant processing plants of various capacities in the country, production plants for key propellant ingredients HTPB and AP in private sector.
Satish C. Gupta, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
Dr Satish C. Gupta joined BARC in 1972. He has to his credit a large number of publications in internationally reputed journals. He is recipient of prestigious awards like DAE Special Contribution Award. His research interests are in the field of behaviour of high energy density matter and response of material to dynamic compression at high strain rate using shock waves.
Published
2011-10-28
How to Cite
Ingale, S., Wagh, P., Sastry, P., Patra, A., Tewari, R., Singh, I., Phapale, S., Wasnik, R., Rao, A. S., & Gupta, S. (2011). Nanocrystalline Pentaerythritoltetranitrate using Sol-Gel Process. Defence Science Journal, 61(6), 534-539. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.594
Issue
Vol 61 No 6
Section
Research Papers
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