High pressure structural properties of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) under rapid compression

The structural behavior of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) under high pressure is of interest in view of its well-known insensitivity to shock initiation. While the TATB has been extensively studied under static and dynamic compression regimes, little to no attention has been paid to studies at intermediate compression timescales between these two extreme conditions. Rapid compression experiments were performed to examine the structural response of TATB up to 10 GPa and over compression rates ranging from 0.01 to 2.82 GPa s^-1, using a dynamic diamond anvil cell coupled with time-resolved Raman spectroscopy. We observe a remarkable consistency in the pressure-dependent Raman shift of TATB over the investigated compression rates. Meanwhile, the pressure corresponding to the abnormal Raman modes shows little indication of compression rate dependence. These data provide new evidence and continued support for the previous conclusion that a pressure-induced conformer modification instead of a structural transition occurs around 4 GPa. Insight into the high pressure structural properties of TATB at intermediate compression timescales contributes to understanding its explosive safety, effectiveness, and the mechanisms governing shock initiation, and may also help design and synthesize new energetic materials.