Azidation of Polyvinyl Nitrate and Energy Related Studies

Partially substituted polyvinyl azide (PVAZ) samples were prepared by reacting sodium azide with polyvinyl nitrate (PVN), containing 15.71 per cent N, in a solution of dimethyl formamide. Replacement of a large proportion of -ONO2 groups by - N3 groups in polymer chain ('azidation' of PVN) enhanced reactivity, impact sensitivity and energetics, but reduced thermal stability of the products. The thermogravimetric analysis of PVN showed the onset of rapid decomposition at about 171 °C. The kinetic analysis of thermogravimetric results indicated the validity of random nucleation first-order reaction model. A differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of PVAZ showed a peak at 183.9 °c and heat of decomposition of 2732 J/g, which is lower than that for PVN