A comparison study in determining diphenylamine (DPA) in gun propellants by using two different methods (Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane (DCM) and ultrasonic extraction (USE) with methanol methods)

In this research, we compared two method of extraction which are Soxhlet extraction (by using dichloromethane (DCM)) and ultrasonic extraction (by using 8% acetonitrile (CAN) in methanol) to determine diphenylamine (DPA) in gun propellants by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC). DPA is a stabilizer in the gun propellant. During storage or ageing, there are constant decomposition of nitrocellulose based propellant happened to the propellant. The decomposition of nitrocellulose will cause autocatalytic decomposition and ignition of the propellant. In this case, stabilizer were added to the propellant to ensure bullets were in stable condition. Determination the concentration of stabilizer in the gun propellant is very important in determining the life of a bullet. This comparative study was made to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods of extraction propellant. It was observed that ultrasonic extraction method is an alternative method that has potential to get a better result in short time of extraction using non chlorinated solvent.