Single-step production method for nano-sized energetic cocrystals by bead milling and products thereof
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsRajen Patel, Victor Stepanov, Reddy Damavarapu, Hongwei Qui
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Abstract
A single-step method for preparing nano-sized cocrystals of explosive material by preparing a coformer solution having an explosive precursor dissolved into a liquid medium and a second explosive precursor dispersed in the liquid medium. The viscosity and solubility of the coformer solution may be modified by addition of binders, plasticizers, surfactants and anti-foaming agents to the coformer solution. The coformer solution is then milled to mechanically form the cocrystals. Further milling produces the desired cocrystal sizes.
Claims16
A process for preparing nanoscale cocrystalline energetic material comprising:
- (a) preparing a coformer solution comprising at least two different energetic coformers in stoichiometric ratio, wherein a first energetic coformer is dissolved in a liquid medium and second energetic coformer is suspended in said liquid medium;
- (b) adding at least one excipient to said coformer solution;
- and
- (c) bead milling the coformer solution to obtain energetic cocrystals wherein said energetic cocrystals have an average particle size of less than 1 μm.
A process for preparing nanoscale cocrystalline energetic material comprising:
- (a) preparing a coformer solution comprising CL-20 dissolved in a ethyl acetate and HMX suspended in ethyl acetate wherein the molar ratio of the CL-20 and HMX is 2:1,
- (b) adding a binder or surfactant to the coformer solution;
- and
- (c) bead milling the coformer solution to obtain cocrystals of Cl-20:HMX wherein said energetic cocrystals have an average particle size of less than 1 μm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.