Nanoscale Homogeneous Energetic Copper Azides@Porous Carbon Hybrid with Reduced Sensitivity and High Ignition Ability

Abstract

Research on green primary explosives with lead-free and excellent ignition performance is of significance for practical applications. In this work, we have developed a novel, green, and facile strategy for synthesizing copper azide@porous carbon hybrids (CA@PC) based on ionic cross-linked hydrogel with low-cost cellulose derivatives as the starting material, in which the CA nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the porous carbon skeletons. The detailed characterizations and control experiments demonstrated that such an outstanding performance originates from the excellent electric conductivity of nanoscale carbon cages. With the favorable unique structures, the as-prepared hybrids can greatly benefit a new type of energetic materials, which exhibit a very low electrostatic sensitivity of 1.06 mJ. Interestingly, the hybrids possess a high ignition ability, and the flame sensitivity can even achieve 47 cm, superior to those well-developed CA-based materials reported previously. This work paves the way toward the design and development of next-generation highly efficient energetic materials.