Title: Measurement of carbon condensates using small-angle x-ray scattering during detonation of the high explosive hexanitrostilbene

Abstract

In this study, the dynamics of carbon condensation in detonating high explosives remains controversial. Detonation model validation requires data for processes occurring at nanometer length scales on time scales ranging from nanoseconds to microseconds. A new detonation end station has been commissioned to acquire and provide time-resolved small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) from detonating explosives. Hexanitrostilbene (HNS) was selected as the first to investigate due to its ease of initiation using exploding foils and flyers, vacuum compatibility, high thermal stability, and stoichiometric carbon abundance that produces high carbon condensate yields. The SAXS data during detonation, collected with 300 ns time resolution, provide unprecedented signal fidelity over a broad q-range. This fidelity permits the first analysis of both the Guinier and Porod/power-law regions of the scattering profile during detonation, which contains information about the size and morphology of the resultant carbon condensate nanoparticles. To bolster confidence in these data, the scattering angle and intensity were additionally cross-referenced with a separate, highly calibrated SAXS beamline. The data show that HNS produces carbon particles with a radius of gyration of 2.7 nm in less than 400 ns after the detonation front has passed, and this size and morphology are constant over the next severalmore » microseconds. These data directly contradict previous pioneering work on RDX/TNT mixtures and TATB, where observations indicate significant particle growth (50% or more) continues over several microseconds. The power-law slope is about -3, which is consistent with a complex disordered, irregular, or folded sp² sub-arrangement within a relatively monodisperse structure possessing radius of gyration of 2.7 nm after the detonation of HNS.« less

Authors:

Bagge-Hansen, M. ^[1]; Lauderbach, L. ^[1]; Hodgin, R. ^[1]; Bastea, S. ^[1]; Fried, L. ^[1]; Jones, A. ^[1]; van Buuren, T. ^[1]; Hansen, D.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Hansen, D."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-2124-1180"

Benterou, J. ^[1]; May, C. ^[1]; Graber, T.  ^[2];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Graber, T."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-9836-7542"

Jensen, B. J.  ^[3];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Jensen, B. J."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-6580-0701"

Ilavsky, J.  ^[4];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Ilavsky, J."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-1982-8900"

Willey, T. M. ^[1]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
3. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
4. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Publication Date:

Wed Jun 24 00:00:00 EDT 2015

Research Org.:

Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

OSTI Identifier:

1258290

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1228646

Grant/Contract Number:  

NA0002442; AC02-06CH11357; AC52-07NA27344; LLNL-LDRD-14-ERD-018

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Applied Physics

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 117; Journal Issue: 24; Journal ID: ISSN 0021-8979

Publisher:

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; carbon; X-ray scattering; cameras; condensation; particle scattering