Computational studies of energetics, electronic structure, and vibrational spectra of PETN nanoparticles

The density functional tight binding method was used to explore the energetics, electronic structure, and vibrational spectra of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) nanoparticles (NPs). The surface energy of the PETN NP is anisotropic and its extra energy decreases with the increase of size. The energy bands of the NPs are significantly expanded and the band gaps are narrowed, thus reducing the stability due to nanometer size effect. The surface of the NP is mainly covered by the NO2 group. The high-energy surface may play a role in triggering chemical decomposition. The vibration frequencies of the PETN NPs present a wider distribution than those of the gas and solid phase PETN, which will increase the probability of energy transfer to the molecules in the system and promote the decomposition of PETN. Our results provide a basic understanding from a molecular perspective to the energy properties of nano explosives.