The new energetic material ammonium dinitramide and its thermal decomposition

Abstract The new energetic material ammonium dinitramide (ADN), NH 4 N(NO 2 ) 2 , has been investigated with regard to its thermal properties and decomposition behaviour. Thermal decomposition of ADN is observed after complete melting at 91.5 °C. The main decomposition pathway is based on the formation of NH 4 NO 3 and N 2 O followed by the thermal decomposition of NH 4 NO 3 to N 2 O and H 2 O at higher temperatures. Side reactions forming NO 2 , NO, NH 3 , N 2 and O 2 are described and a mechanism for the acid-catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen dinitramide, dissociation product of ADN, is proposed.