Synthesis of poly(2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-co-glycidyl methacrylic acid)s and their anti-migration and burning rate catalytic properties

Ferrocene (Fc)-based polymers have promising application in burning rate catalysts (BRCs) for solid composite propellants, and some of them have already been practically used. However, they have some drawbacks such as high migration during a long-time storage. Copolymers of poly(2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl ferrocene carboxylate-co-glycidyl methacrylic acid)s (P(FHEMA-co-GMA)s) were synthesized to overcome the migration problem of Fc-based BRCs as well as to boost the burning rate (BR) of ammonium perchlorate (AP)-based propellants. The structures of the obtained P(FHEMA-co-GMA)s were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) method was used to study their electrochemical behavior, and the P(FHEMA-co-GMA)s showed redox behavior for the existence of the Fc units. Because of the formation of integrated network structures, the P(FHEMA-co-GMA)s have good anti-migration performances. The BR catalytic property of P(FHEMA-co-GMA)s were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermogravimetry (DTG). They showed competent catalytic effects on the thermal decomposition of AP.