Studies on Thermal Decomposition of Energetic Nitrourea Salts

Thermal decomposition of nitrourea salts (K, Na, Ag, Ba) was studied in hydrogen atmosphere, helium atmosphere and vacuum by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The evolution of dinitrogen oxide, water, hydrazine, nitrogen dioxide and the formation of cyanate salts during thermodecomposition of nitrourea salts in helium and hydrogen were confirmed. In vacuum the evolved gaseous products changed to dinitrogen oxide, water, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen gas indicating that interreaction between evolved gaseous products occurred. The same solid products – cyanate salts – are formed showing vacuum having no effects upon the decomposition mechanism.