Synthesis and characterization of a low-sensitive nano-fibrous membrane based on polystyrene and pentrite via electrospinning

Abstract

The process of electrospinning is a straightforward and adaptable method for creating polymeric fibre membranes with sizes ranging from nano to submicron. Although these thin fibres have been thoroughly investigated for biomedical uses, their applicability in the field of energetic materials is still somewhat limited. In this work, polystyrene (PS) and pentaerthritol tetranitrate (PETN) composite submicron fibres were prepared by electrospinning. Fiber morphology was controlled by methodically optimising key electrospinning parameters, such as applied voltage, tip-to-collector distance, solution flow rate, mandrel rotation speed, spinning time, and solution concentration. SEM and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) were used to characterise the resultant PS/PETN submicron-fibrous membranes. Additionally, tests for impact and friction sensitivity were carried out, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to examine the thermal behaviour of the composite and its constituent parts.SEM examination verified that electrospinning produced continuous PS/PETN submicron fibres. FTIR spectra confirmed that the composite fibres included distinctive functional groups linked to both PS and PETN. It is noteworthy that the PS/PETN submicron fibres demonstrated a decrease in initiation when tested for impact (up to 100 J) or friction (up to 360 N). These results imply that PS/PETN submicron-fibrous membranes could provide a secure and useful platform for explosives detection applications.