Borylated Ferrocene Bonding Agent for Energetic Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energetic compositions, such as composite solid rocket propellants, face challenges with binder-oxidizer particle separation under stress, leading to de-wetting and low tensile strength, and existing burning rate catalysts like ferrocene derivatives are volatile and increase friction and impact sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A borylated ferrocene derivative bonding agent forms a Lewis complex with perchlorate or nitrate containing oxidizer particles, enhancing the bond strength and preventing de-wetting, while also acting as a Lewis acid to chemically bond with the oxidizer particles and polymeric binder, thereby improving mechanical properties and burning rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ferrocene and ferrocene derivatives are used as burning rate catalysts, then burning rates are dramatically increased, but volatility, oxidation during storage, and friction and impact sensitivity are severely increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses boron-containing compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the ferrocene derivative and the oxidizer particles. The boron compound forms a complex with the ferrocene derivative, creating a bonding agent that adheres to oxidizer surfaces without exhibiting the harmful volatility and sensitivity characteristics of pure ferrocene derivatives, thus maintaining catalytic function while eliminating harmful properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite bonding agent system combining ferrocene derivatives with boron-containing compounds. This composite material integrates the burning rate enhancement capability of ferrocene with the stability and low sensitivity of boron compounds, producing a material that exhibits both high burning rate and reduced volatility, oxidation, friction sensitivity, and impact sensitivity
2Strength
If binder strength is increased relative to binder-solids bond strength, then composition can undergo separation of binder from oxidizer particles (de-wetting), but this results in high extensibility and low tensile strength
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding agent acts as an intermediary substance between the binder and oxidizer particles, forming a triad interface. This intermediary layer improves adhesion by chemically or physically bonding to both the binder and oxidizer surface, preventing de-wetting and binder-oxidizer separation while maintaining composition integrity under stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the binder-oxidizer interface by introducing the bonding agent. This changes the interfacial energy, surface chemistry, and adhesion characteristics, transforming the weak binder-oxidizer bond into a strong binder-bonding agent-oxidizer complex structure with improved mechanical integrity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The borylated ferrocene derivative bonding agent increases the tensile strength and reduces de-wetting in energetic compositions, providing improved mechanical properties and enhanced burning rates without the volatility issues associated with ferrocene derivatives.
Implementation Method 1
a borylated ferrocene derivative bonding agent bonded to a surface of at least a portion the perchlorate or nitrate containing oxidizer particles to form a Lewis complex
Implementation Method 2
acting as a Lewis acid to chemically bond with the oxidizer particles and polymeric binder
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are energetic compositions and methods of making thereof. A composition includes perchlorate or nitrate containing oxidizer particles, a polymeric binder, and a borylated ferrocene derivative bonding agent bonded to a surface of at least a portion the perchlorate or nitrate containing oxidizer particles to form a Lewis complex.