Formation and characterization of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite prepared by spray-drying technique

The core-shell 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane/2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene(CL-20/TNT)composite was prepared by spray-drying method in which sensitive high energy explosive(CL-20)was coated with insensitive explosive(TNT).The structure and properties of different formulations of CL-20/TNT composite and CL-20/TNT mixture were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Transmission electron microscopy(TEM),Laser particle size analyzer,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),X-ray diffraction(XRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),impact sensitivity test and detonation performance.The results of SEM,TEM,XPS and XRD show that e-CL-20 particles are coated by TNT.When the ratio of CL-20/TNT is 75/25,core-shell structure is well formed,and thickness of the shell is about 20e30 nm.And the analysis of heat and impact show that with the increase of TNT content,the TNT coating on the core-shell composite material can not only catalyze the thermal decomposition of core material(CL-20),but also greatly reduce the impact sensitivity.Compared with the CL-20/TNT mixture(75/25)at the same ratio,the characteristic drop height of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite(75/25)increased by 47.6%and the TNT coating can accelerate the nuclear decomposition in the CL-20/TNT composites.Therefore,the preparation of the core-shell composites can be regarded as a unique means,by which the composites are characterized by controllable decomposition rate,high energy and excellent mechanical sensitivity and could be applied to propellants and other fields.

Transgenic cotton expressing C YP392A4 double-stranded RNA decreases the reproductive ability of Tetranychus cinnabarinus

As a polyphagous pest, Tetranychus cinnabarinus has the ability to overcome the defense of various hosts, and causes severe losses to various economically important crops. Since the interaction between pest and host plants is a valuable clue to investigate potential ways for pest management, we intend to identify the key genes of T. cinnabarinus for its adaption on cotton, then, with RNA interference （RNAi） and transgenic technology, construct a transgenic cotton strain to interfere with this process, and evaluate the effect of this method on the management of the mites. The difference of gene expression of T. cinnabarinus was analyzed when it was transferred to a new host （from cowpea to cotton） through high-throughput sequencing, and a number of differentially expressed genes involved in detoxification, digestion and specific processes during the development were classified. From them, a P450 gene CYP392A4 with high abundance and prominent over-expression on the cotton was selected as a candidate. With transgenic technology, cotton plants expressing double-stranded RNA of CYP392A4 were constructed. Feeding experiments showed that it can decrease the expression of the target gene, result in the reduction of reproductive ability of the mites, and the population of T. cinnabarinus showed an apparent fitness cost on the transgenic cotton. These results provide a new approach to restrict the development of mite population on the host. It is also a useful attempt to control piercing sucking pests through RNAi and transgenic technology.