Preparation of HNS microspheres by rapid membrane emulsification

In order to improve the dispersibility and loading efficiency of 2,2′,4,4′,6,6′-hexanitrostilbene (HNS), HNS microspheres were prepared by rapid membrane emulsification method with nitrocellulose (NC) as binder. The effects of NC solution concentration, stirring speed and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution concentration on microspheres were investigated. It was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and angle of repose analyzer. The results show that the HNS microspheres prepared with 5 wt% NC solution concentration, stirring speed of 100 rpm and 2 wt% PVA solution concentration have better regular morphology, higher sphericity, unchanged crystalline shape, increased activation energy and significantly improved dispersibility compared with the refined HNS. Rapid membrane emulsification has a series of advantages such as green, low cost and easy scale up, which provides a better way to prepare microspheres of energy materials.