Skoltech researchers have identified over 200 carbon-oxygen compounds with high energy potential, including some that rival TNT. The study, published in Materials Today Energy, explored a wide range of oxygen-carbon molecules beyond the well-known carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
The team discovered dozens of previously unknown molecules, many of which possess explosive energy similar to TNT. These compounds fall under the category of high-energy-density materials, critical for advancing propellants and explosives that outperform conventional nitrogen-based compounds.
According to lead author Elizaveta Vaneeva, the discovery was made possible by understanding how carbon monoxide molecules release energy. “In the course of chemical reactions, nitrogen atoms seek to form the remarkably stable molecule N₂,” she explained. “We found a compound that decomposes into carbon dioxide plus something else, and that process releases even more energy.”
The researchers identified 32 compounds with explosive potential, including C₄O₈, C₄O₉, C₆O₁₂, and C₆O₁₃, which release 75% or more of the energy of TNT. The newly discovered C₆O₁₃ packs the biggest punch at 81% the equivalent of TNT.
The study highlights the surprising richness of molecular chemistry, where variability is greater than in crystals. The researchers used a concept called “magicity” to predict which compounds will likely be found. Oxocarbons, or carbon oxides, are promising for various applications, including advanced energetics, battery development, and biochemical studies.
The discovery is a step towards understanding the properties of carbon-oxygen compounds, which remain insufficiently studied. The Skoltech study is expected to have significant implications for fields such as astrophysics, atmospheric chemistry, and space exploration.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/rivaling-tnt-scientists-discover-bizarre-magic-molecules-with-explosive-potential