Method for the preparation of uniform triaminotrinitrobenzene microparticles
A new, rapid and inexpensive synthesis method for monodispersed triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) microparticles based on micelle-confined precipitation that enables control of microscopic morphology. The morphology of the TATB microparticles can be tuned between quasi-spherical and faceted by controlling the speed of recrystallization. The method enables improved performance and production consistency of TATB explosives for military grade explosives and propellants
1. A method to synthesize triaminotrinitrobenzene microparticles, comprising:
providing a first solution comprising triaminotrinitrobenzene dissolved in an ionic liquid;
providing a second solution comprising a nonionic surfactant and a solvent that is immiscible in and has a high polarity contrast against the ionic liquid;
mixing the first and the second solutions while being sonicated to form an emulsion comprising micelles of the first solution dispersed in the solvent; and
adding an anti-solvent precipitant to the emulsion to precipitate microparticles of triaminotrinitrobenzene in the micelles.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising separating the microparticles of triaminotrinitrobenzene from the micelles.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ionic liquid comprises 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises a hydrocarbon.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the hydrocarbon comprises octane.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance between 3 and 8.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant comprises a sorbitan ester, ethoxylated sorbitan ester, or polyethylene glycol alkyl ether.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-solvent precipitant comprises water.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-solvent precipitant comprises an alcohol.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the triaminotrinitrobenzene microparticles are quasi-spherical in shape.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the triaminotrinitrobenzene microparticles are less than 10 microns in diameter.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the triaminotrinitrobenzene microparticles have a triclinic crystal structure.