Observation of nanoscale hot-spot generation on a 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (TNP) single crystal

An energetic material (EM) creates a local thermal point when it accepts energy and the EM will explode due to thermal decomposition when the hot-spot temperature reaches the explosive temperature. The initial stage of the hot-spot formation on 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (TNP) single crystal has been observed at the nanometer scale using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hot-spot generation has been directly initiated by means of an AFM tip. The phenomenon is accompanied by producing agglomerated spherical-like nanoparticles due to a low-temperature decomposition of TNP. It has been observed that the agglomerated particles are produced outside of the stimulated region. The observed decomposition process at the nanoscale doesnʹt lead to a self-sustaining shock as detonation or explosion. The results are of interest in relation to explore the origin of deformation-induced chemical decomposition or detonation of EM.