Effect of Aziridino[60]fullerenes on Thermal Stability of Nitrocellulose

Abstract

Abstract A series of aziridino[60]fullerenes was synthesized by the reaction of octabromo[60]fullerene with various anilines. Their ability to absorb free radicals and acid gases was studied, and their potential applications as stabilizers in nitrocellulose-containing propellants were discussed. The structure of aziridino[60]fullerenes was characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, NMR, HRMS, FT-IR, and UV-vis. The compatibilities of aziridino[60]fullerenes with nitrocellulose and their stabilization effect on nitrocellulose were evaluated by methyl violet, differential thermal analysis, isothermal weight loss, and vacuum stability test methods. The results reveal that aziridino[60]fullerenes have more excellent compatibility and stability than the traditional stabilizers DPA and C2. Moreover, their stabilization mechanism was studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The results show that aziridino[60]fullerenes could effectively eliminate the nitrogen oxides released by nitrocellulose autocatalysis, and they could be used as a new stabilizer for nitrocellulose-containing propellants.