Preparation and Characterization of fine-grained Nitrocellulose

Abstract. The properties of nitrocellulose (NC) with varying particle sizes were investigated following micronization and nanofiber synthesis. Commercial NC samples with nitrogen contents of 12.6% and 13.17% were used as starting materials. NC was suspended in water and pulverized to sub-nanometer scale using an ultra-fine grinding machine (Super Masscolloider), yielding disk-milled NC (DMNC). Additionally, cellulose (filter paper) was processed into cellulose nanofiber (CNF) using the same method, followed by nitration to produce nitrocellulose nanofiber (NCNF). Three NC forms (NC, DMNC, and NCNF) were characterized by BET surface area analysis, thermal analysis, friction and impact sensitivity tests, and combustion tests. The specific surface areas (m²/g) were NC : DMNC : NCNF = 9.8 : 19.1 : 103, while combustion rates (cm/s) were NC : DMNC : NCNF = 20 : 22.8 : 34.5. DMNC exhibited reduced impact sensitivity and enhanced combustion rate compared to NC, indicating a trend of sensitivity reduction with particle size refinement. NCNF, with its significantly larger surface area, demonstrated over a 50% increase in combustion rate relative to NC. These findings suggest that particle size reduction and nanostructuring of NC can improve combustion performance while reducing sensitivity, offering potential advantages for energetic material applications.