A low sensitivity energetic cocrystal of ammonium pentazolate

A new cyclo-pentazolate anion-based energetic cocrystal NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl was synthesized. The structure, thermal behavior, sensitivity, and detonation properties of NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl were studied. Cube-shaped NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl crystallizes in the Fd-3 m space group, and is formed by hydrogen bonding interactions. DSC-TG-MS combined techniques show that NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl has better thermal stability than NH4N5. The cocrystal exhibits low impact and friction sensitivity, and largely reduces the mechanical sensitivity of NH4N5. Furthermore, the cocrystal is predicted to have a detonation velocity of about 8.3 km s−1 and a detonation pressure of about 21.4 GPa, respectively, indicating excellent detonation performance.