Highly Energetic Ionic Liquids for Chemical Propulsion Based on Imidazole and Triazole Derivatives: Relationship Between Crystal Structure and Ignition Delay Time

Abstract

Here we describe the crystal structure of highly energetic ionic liquids for chemical propulsion and also show the corresponding performance, ignition delay when combined with an oxidant, white fume nitric acid. Highly energetic ionic liquids were prepared via facile quaternization of tertiary amine, 4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine and 1-methyl-1H-imidazole with methyl or ethyl iodide and subsequent ion exchange with dicyanamide ion. After quaternization, the crystal structure was readily determined, and it was consistent with other spectroscopic results. The ignition delay time of the corresponding ionic liquid was found to be less than 50 msec, which is suitable for application as a potential chemical propellant.