Data for "Investigation into the environmental fate of the novel explosive 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO): Acridine and its constituents"

3-Nitro-l,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is an Insensitive High Explosive (IHE) often considered as a safer alternative to traditional explosive 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). NTO is highly soluble in water and previous studies have revealed that when transported through soil it has the potential to create an environmental challenge as it tends to easily reach groundwater systems. To combat some of these challenges recent work has shown that combining NTO in a co-crystal with Acridine (ACR) at a molar ratio of 1:1 has a positive effect on thermal stability and a reduction in solubility. This paper experimentally evaluates the fate and transport of this NTO:ACR co-crystal compared to its individual components, NTO and ACR, in a low-inorganic matrix. The findings of this study reveal that despite NTO maintaining its high solubility within the co-crystal structure , the quantity of NTO retained within the upper layers of the sand column is larger for NTO:ACR. The rate of transport of these materials through the soil was also considered. While the rate of transport of NTO was proportional to its concentration the presence ACR was shown to have an antagonistic effect on this activity. Therefore, consistent evidence is provided here of an interaction between NTO and ACR within the co-crystal structure which results in a lower solubility for NTO. Increasing the retention of a containment within soil could aid in environmental remediation of the area post-use.