Elucidating the thermal decomposition mechanism of advanced energetic composites based on nitrated cellulose carbamate/ diethylene glycol dinitrate supplemented with organic stabilizers

This study evaluates the stabilizing effect of lignin, extracted from Eucalyptus globulus , on an energetic composite of nitrated cellulose carbamate (NCC) plasticized with diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN), compared to conventional stabilizers 2-nitrodiphenylamine (2-NDPA) and 1,3-dimethyl-1,3-diphenylurea (C-II). FTIR analysis confirms lignin’s capacity to scavenge nitroxyl radicals formed during thermolysis of nitrocarbamate and nitrate ester bonds, thereby inhibiting decomposition. Moreover, the incorporation of C-II, 2-NDPA, and lignin significantly raised the peak temperature of the main thermolysis, as confirmed by DSC and TGA, indicating a progressive stability enhancement in the order: NCC/DEGDN < NCC/DEGDN/C-II < NCC/DEGDN/lignin < NCC/DEGDN/2-NDPA. Additionally, the effect of each stabilizer on the decomposition pathway was characterized by TGA-FTIR. The findings show that stabilizer type significantly affects the intensity of gaseous products released during decomposition without altering their nature. Notably, NH 2 groups formed during NCC degradation play a key role in nitrogen conversion, particularly by reducing toxic NO emissions.