Design of Energetic Ionic Liquids
Abstract
An essential need of the US Air Force is the discovery, development, and fielding of new, energetic materials for advanced chemical propulsion in space and missile applications. Some of the key factors driving the requirement for new chemical propellants include: (a) improved performance in terms of increased specific impulse and density, (b) reduced sensitivity to external stimuli such as impact, friction, shock, and electrostatic discharge, and (c) mitigation of environmental and toxicological hazards (and the resulting costs) associated with currently used propellants. A class of compounds that can potentially meet these requirements is known as ionic liquids (ILs), which are chemical salts with unusually low melting points. The physical and chemical properties of ILs render them useful for many purposes, most notably as environmentally benign (?green?) solvents/reaction media but also as catalysts, electrolytes, etc. From a Department of Defense (DoD) perspective, ILs are being explored as new propellants, explosives, and munitions. The Air Force, in particular, is interested in ILs as potential replacements for currently used monopropellants such as hydrazine?which is carcinogenic, highly toxic, and has relatively modest performance characteristics. In contrast, many ILs have superior densities and specific impulses as well as significantly reduced sensitivity and toxicity characteristics. Furthermore, their properties can be carefully tuned via the choice of the component ions. The overall objective of the Design of Energetic Ionic Liquids Challenge Project is to address several key technical issues and challenges associated with the characterization, design, and development of ILs as new monopropellants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 27, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA545129
Entities
People
- Gregory A. Voth
- Jerry A. Boatz
- Mark S. Gordon
- Sharon Hammes-Schiffer
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory