Abstract

Energetic ionic salts based on nitrogen-rich heterocycles are expected to usher in a new era in the fields of propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics owing to their excellent combustion characteristics, green nature, and the ability to tailor them based on requirements. The review focuses on an important aspect of these compounds, other than the synthesis procedure and physico-chemical characterisation, that is frequently overlooked, i.e. the decomposition pathways and the associated chemical kinetic parameters, which are essential to elucidate and simulate their combustion characteristics. The reaction mechanisms of four major families of energetic ionic salts, explored by various experimental and numerical techniques, are reported in detail.

Keywords: Pyrolysis, ionic salts, nitrogen-rich, heterocycles.

Graphical Abstract