Preparation of multi-scale FOX-7 particles and investigation of sensitivity and thermal stability

Multi-scale ultrafine 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7) samples with different particle size were fabricated and specifically, nano-FOX-7 was successfully prepared by a green mechanophysical milling method. All samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Impact and friction sensitivities of the samples were tested and thermal analysis was performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Ultrafine particles with a mean size of 40 nm, 0.9 μm and 3.4 μm respectively showed less sensitivity than raw FOX-7, whose particles size was about 20 μm. The critical drop height H(50) of ultrafine FOX-7 increased from 129 cm to 172 cm, 142 cm and 136 cm, respectively and the friction sensitivity reduced from 32% to 8%, 16% and 20%, respectively. Furthermore, the apparent activation energy of ultrafine particles increased compared with raw materials, which suggested the thermal stability of the ultrafine particles was improved.