Combining a layer construction strategy with cocrystallization techniques, we designed and prepared a structurally unusual 1H,1'H-5,5'-bistetrazole-1,1'-diolate (BTO) based energetic cocrystal, which we also confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and powder-crystal X-ray diffraction. The obtained cocrystal crystallizes in a triclinic system, P-1 space group, with a density of 1.72 g cm-3. The properties including the thermal stability, sensitivity and detonation performance of the cocrystal were analyzed in detail. In addition, the thermal decomposition behavior of the cocrystal was studied by differential calorimetry and thermogravimetry tandem infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the cocrystal exhibits strong resistance to thermal decomposition up to 535.6 K. The cocrystal also demonstrates a sensitivity of >50 J. Moreover, its formation enthalpy was estimated to be 2312.0 kJ mol-1, whereas its detonation velocity and detonation pressure were predicted to be 8.213 km s-1 and 29.1 GPa, respectively, by applying K-J equations. Therefore, as expected, the obtained cocrystal shows a good comprehensive performance, which proves that a high degree of layer-by-layer stacking is essential for the structural density, thermal stability and sensitivity.
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