Evaluating Ionic Liquids as Hypergolic Fuels: Exploring Reactivity from Molecular Structure
Abstract
Thirty eight ionic liquids (19 of which are new) comprised of thirteen cations, 1-propargyl-3-methyl-imidazolium, 1-allyl-3-methyl-imidazolium, 1,3-dimethyl-imidazolium, 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium, 1-methoxyethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium, 1-methyl-4-butyl-1,2,4-triazolium, 1-methyl-4-allyl-1,2,4-triazolium, 1-methyl-4-amino-1,2,4-triazolium, N-butyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium, N-allyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium, N-allyl-pyridinium, and N-butyl-3-methyl-pyridinium paired with three anions, dicyanamide, azide, and nitrocyanamide, have been prepared, characterized, and evaluated as potential hypergolic fuels by determining key physical, thermal, and ignition properties. The reactivity of these ionic liquids (32 liquids and 6 solids which melt below 100 deg C) was strongly correlated to increased electron density in the cation, while small changes in physical properties had little effect beyond a certain threshold, suggesting that subtle changes in chemical reactivity can greatly influence the hypergolic ignition pathway.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 27, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA622793
Entities
People
- Gregory Chatel
- Luis A. Flores
- O. A. Cojocaru
- Parker D. McCrary
- Patrick S. Barber
- Preston A. Beasley
- Robin D. Rogers
- Spencer A. Alaniz
- Steven P Kelley
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory