Effect of Flavonoids on the Thermal Stability of Nitrocellulose

ABSTRACT Nitrocellulose (NC), as one of the most extensively utilized nitrate esters, requires stabilization additives to suppress premature degradation, mitigate explosion hazards, and minimize energy loss during storage. Conventional stabilizers such as diphenylamine (DPA) and ethyl centralite (C2), however, generate carcinogenic byproducts throughout propellant aging processes. This necessitates the development of environmentally benign alternatives specifically designed for nitrate ester stabilization. In this study, the stabilization efficacy of flavonoid compounds on NC fibers was systematically investigated through differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, and methyl violet testing. Mechanistic insights into flavonoid‐NC interactions were elucidated via electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared analysis. Experimental results demonstrated that flavonoid incorporation significantly enhanced NC thermal stability. Extension of methyl violet discoloration time from 56 to 96 min, reduction of gas emission during NC decomposition from 5.36 to 2.18 mL/g, and decrease in thermal mass loss rate from 19.43% to 1.41%. Notably, quercetin exhibited a 50% nitroxide radical scavenging efficiency at 0.9746 mmol/L. These findings confirm that flavonoids not only outperform traditional stabilizers (DPA/C2) in stabilization efficiency but also reduce environmental toxicity risks associated with NC‐based energetic materials.