Nanodiamonds characterization and application as a burning rate modifier for solid propellants

Abstract A nanodiamond powder (n-D) synthesized by detonation method was characterized in detail, and the combustion of solid propellants contained 10 wt. % of n-D as a burning rate modifier was investigated. n-D characterization was implemented by XRD, SEM, DSC, and size distribution analyses. Specific surface area analysis was performed using BET-method. The size of primary nanodiamond particles has not changed after acid treatment and drying, but the particles' agglomeration decreased the value of a specific surface area. The effect of n-D modification on the burning rate of solid propellants with an active and inert binder was investigated. The addition of the n-D to propellants formulation instead of carbon black powder has significantly increased their burning rate (by at least 50 %) in the studied pressure range. The observed trend was associated with the high chemical reactivity of n-D and its extremely high value of specific surface area.