Preparation, characterization and thermal decomposition mechanism of guanidinium azotetrazolate (GUZT)

•Guanidinium azotetrazolate was prepared by using replacement reaction.•Thermal decomposition of guanidinium azotetrazolate was separated into two steps.•The thermal behaviors of guanidinium azotetrazolate were described.•The thermal decomposition mechanisms of guanidinium azotetrazolate were obtained.