High-pressure Studies of [NH4]2Cu(TNP)4 Complex

Energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics) play important roles in both military and civilian applications. Their sensitivities to initiation by impact, shock, friction and spark are crucial not only for their performance, but also for safety in manufacture, processing, storage, transport, and operational use. We have recently prepared and characterised a new copper compound based on the trinitropyrazolate (TNP) ligand – ammonium copper (tetrakis) trinitropyrazolate [NH4)2[Cu(TNP)4], which displays remarkable thermal stability, combined with a high energy output. It is therefore a promising candidate to replace particular lead-based initiators, as well as being of interest as a pyrotechnic. the aim of the proposed high-pressure neutron powder diffraction experiment is to study the crystalline structural behaviours of [NH4)2 Cu(II) (TNP)4] complex at elevated pressure conditions using neutron powder diffraction. We wish to construct accurate phase diagrams for this material and structurally characterise potential high-pressure phases, thereby providing insight into the compressibility, particularly at pressures typical of detonation events.