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Searching for ways to create energetic materials based on polynitrogen compounds (review)

V. E. Zarko

Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

Abstract: Polynitrogen compounds (containing only nitrogen atoms) are promising candidates as energetic materials for rocket engineering. The high energy content of these compounds is due to the significant difference in bond energy between nitrogen atoms. In particular, molecular nitrogen (N$_2$) is characterized by a uniquely strong triple bond – 229 kcal/mole, whereas the single-bond energy is only 38.4 kcal/mole. From theoretical estimates, use of polynitrogen compounds can provide a specific impulse of 350–500 sec with material density in a range of 2.0–3.9 g/cm$^3$. This paper gives a brief review of the current status of experimental and theoretical studies in the chemistry of polynitrogen compounds.

Keywords: polynitrogen compounds, bond energy, specific impulse, polymeric nitrogen.

UDC: 536.46

Received: 12.08.2009

 English version: Combustion, Explosion and Shock Waves, 2010, 46:2, 121–131

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