Synthesis and characterization of a new energy material: Pyridinium dinitramide (Py-DN)

Solid oxidizer pyridinium dinitramide (Py-DN, C5H5NH+·N−(NO2)2), a new chlorine-free energetic oxidizer with less toxicity was synthesized as a high performance green propellant. [Display omitted] A solid oxidizer pyridinium dinitramide (Py-DN) has been newly synthesized as a low toxic chlorine-free energetic oxidizer. The reaction yield increased by 10% higher than the other dinitramide such as ADN because Py-DN was directly converted without sequential precipitation of intermediates. A thermal analyzer, a UV–visible spectrometer and a Fourier transform-infra-red spectrometer were used to characterize the physical and chemical properties of the synthesized Py-DN, and the results were compared with previously prepared salts of ammonium dinitramide (ADN, NH4N(NO2)2) and guanidine dinitramide [GDN, NH2C(NH2)NH2N(NO2)2]. The characteristic endothermic and exothermic decomposition temperatures of Py-DN were 77.4°C and 144.7°C, respectively, and the material had a combustion caloric value of 1,739J/g. These low values indicate that Py-DN is more thermally sensitive than the conventional dinitramides. Furthermore, it enables to decrease the decomposition temperature, which can reduce preheating temperature required for thruster operation.