Balancing energy and thermal stability: a review of advanced heat-resistant energetic materials

Energetic materials (EMs) operating in extreme environments, including those encountered in aerospace applications, deep-well mineral extraction, and advanced hypersonic systems, face significant challenges that drive substantial demand for the development of heat-resistant energetic materials (HREMs). However, the inherent trade-off between high thermal stability and high energy density in energetic materials remains a critical bottleneck hindering advancement in this field. Therefore, this review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in the molecular design, synthesis, and performance of HREMs with thermal decomposition temperatures exceeding 250 °C and detonation velocities exceeding 8500 m s⁻¹. By systematically classifying HREMs into single-ring, fused-ring, bridged, and bridged-fused-ring compounds, this review highlights the key structure–property relationships that determine their thermal stability and detonation performance. Finally, design principles for high-energy HREMs and an outlook on future research directions and challenges are proposed, aiming to contribute to the innovation and development of next-generation HREMs.