Preparation and thermal decomposition properties of nitrated graphene oxide (NGO)/RDX nano-energetic composites

To improve the thermal decomposition property of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), a new nano-energetic combustion catalyst nitrated graphene oxide (NGO), which was synthesized by nitrifying graphene oxide with nitro-sulfuric acid, is introduced to RDX via a solvent–antisolvent method. A scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the morphology of RDX, NGO and the 2% NGO/RDX nano-energetic composite. The properties and the mechanisms of thermal decomposition of the NGO/RDX nano-energetic composites in different blend ratios were analyzed through thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry–mass spectra, respectively. In comparison with RDX, the thermal decomposition temperature of 2%NGO/RDX decreased from 246 to 224 °C, and the apparent decomposition heat enhanced from 761 to 1651 J g −1 . The tests of impact sensitivity and friction sensitivity were carried out by a standard method. The value of h 50 of 2%NGO/RDX increased from 24 to 40 cm and the friction sensitivity of 2%NGO/RDX reduced from 86 to 12% compared with RDX. These results indicated that NGO had an excellent catalytic property upon the thermal decomposition of RDX and it can also improve its impact sensitivity and friction sensitivity. Graphic abstract