Thermodynamics and performance of Al/CuO nanothermite with different storage time

The storage stability of energetic materials is important for its application. Here, the storage stability of Al/CuO nanothermite, which was prepared by electrospray method and stored with different storage time, was systematically researched. The activation energy of Al/CuO nanothermite was calculated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The ignition temperature and the curve pressure history of Al/CuO nanothermite was measured using ignition temperature measuring device and constant-volume pressurization tests, respectively. Further, the thermites were characterized by X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the morphology of the thermites did not change significantly. The activation energy was decreased from 254.1 kJ/mol to 181.8 kJ/mol after storage for 13 months. When stored for 0, 7 and 13 months, the peak pressures of Al/CuO nanothermite were 685.8 kPa, 626.3 kPa and 625.5 kPa, respectively. In addition to the ignition temperature, it was 775 ℃, 739 ℃ and 754 ℃, respectively. This result indicated that the ignition and combustion properties of Al/CuO nano-thermite are obviously reduced when stored for a long time, at room temperature.     

Thermal and combustion behavior of Al-MnO2 nanothermite with poly(vinylidene fluoride -co- hexafluoropropylene) energetic binder

Fluoropolymers get increasing attention in energetic materials application due to the high fluorine content. To explore the effect of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) on Al/MnO2 nanothermite, the samples with different contents are prepared and characterized by SEM, TG-DSC, XRD, and their ignition and combustion behavior are tested and recorded. The results show that P(VDF-HFP) as an energetic binder can combine the nanothermite components together, even exist in the gaps. The integrity of energetic materials has been improved. Thermal analysis shows that the addition of P(VDF-HFP) greatly changes the thermal reaction processes, and the exothermic peaks appear early, but the utilization of fuel and oxidizer is not efficient from the XRD results. Furthermore, the appropriate addition of P(VDF-HFP) can directly reduce the ignition energy threshold and increase the combustion time, which is necessary for the potential ignition charge application. The possible reasons for above phenomena are discussed and analyzed. This research provides a reference for improvement of thermite-based ignition charge formulation.     

无电焊接材料的燃烧速度和燃烧温度研究

采用高放热性的铝热剂（CuO＋Al）并加入适当的添加剂,制备了便携式的无电焊接笔材料,其燃烧速度可控,且具有高的燃烧温度。研究了反应剂颗粒大小、混料均匀性等对无电焊接笔材料的燃烧性能的影响。结果表明：反应剂粒径对无电焊接笔的燃烧速度具有显著影响,随着反应剂粒径的增大,燃烧速度明显减慢。反应剂粒径和混料时间是影响单位时间放热量和混料均匀度的主要因素,因而对无电焊接笔的燃烧温度具有明显影响。在一定的混料时间下,反应物粉末具有最佳的混料均匀性。反应物粒径小且混料均匀性好的无电焊接笔材料,其燃烧温度高。     

超音速等离子制备Al/Ni涂层的性能特点

以超音速等离子喷涂系统(HEPJet)为平台,采用铝包镍(Al/Ni)自粘结粉末,借助Spray Watch2i在线监测系统、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)和WE-10A万能拉伸试验机,研究了超音速等离子喷涂Al/Ni粒子的速度、温度及涂层的组织性能。研究结果表明:超音速等离子喷涂Al/Ni自粘结粉末时,与普通火焰喷涂不同,射流中无明显的放热反应特征,涂层中也未发现Al-Ni化合物;超音速等离子的喷涂功率、喷涂距离等参数对Al/Ni喷涂粒子的状态和涂层组织性能影响显著,当功率为54.6kW、喷涂距离为150mm时,Al/Ni涂层组织致密,与基体的结合强度高达56MPa。     

Nanothermite colloids: A new prospective for enhanced performance

Nanothermites (metal oxide/metal) can offer tremendously exothermic self sustained reactions. CuO is one of the most effective oxidizers for naonothermite applications. This study reports on two prospectives for the manufacture of CuO nanoparticles. Colloidal CuO particles of 15 nm particle size were developed using hydrothermal synthesis technique. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with surface are 700 m²/g was employed as a substrate for synthesis of CuO-coated MWCNTs using electroless plating. On the other hand, aluminium particles with combustion heat of 32000 J/g is of interest as high energy density material. The impact of stoichiometric nanothermite particles (CuO/Al & Cuo-coated MWCNTs/Al) on shock wave strength of Al/TNT nanocomposite was evaluated using ballistic mortar test. While CuO-coated MWCNTs decreased the shock wave strength by 15%; colloidal CuO enhanced the shock wave strength by 30%. The superior performance of colloidal CuO particles was correlated to their steric stabilization with employed organic solvent. This is the first time ever to report on fabrication, isolation, and integration of stablilized colloidal nanothermite particles into energetic matrix where intimate mixing between oxidizer and metal fuel could be achieved.     

纳米氧化钒薄膜的制备

以钒醇盐为原料,采用溶胶—凝胶法制备了具有纳米结构的氧化钒薄膜,对影响氧化钒溶胶稳定性的因素进行了系统研究,并初步探讨了焙烧工艺条件对氧化钒薄膜价态的影响。     

Liquid phase in-situ synthesis of LiF coated boron powder composite and performance study

Among practical metal additives, boron (B) has a high volumetric heating value, making it a promising choice as a fuel additive. Although B can theoretically yield a large amount of energy upon complete combustion, its combustion is retarded by the initial presence of B oxide, which coats the surfaces of B particle. To improve the ignition and combustion properties of B powder, LiOH and NH₄F were used as precursors to synthesize uniformly LiF-coated B composites (LiF-B) in situ. The LiF-B mixture was also prepared for comparison using a physical method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the morphologies and compositions of the products. The thermal and combustion properties of the samples were characterized by thermal gravity-differential thermal gravity (TG-DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and closed bomb experiment. The XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDS results demonstrated the successful preparation of the coated LiF-B sample. The TG-DTG and closed bomb experiment results indicated that the addition of LiF decreased the ignition temperature of B powder, and increasing its reaction efficiency. DSC results show that when LiF-B was added, the released heat of underwater explosive increased by 6727.2, 7280.4 and 3109.6 J/g at heating rates of 5, 10, and 15 °C/min, respectively. Moreover, LiF-B decreased the activation energy of secondary combustion reaction of explosive system as calculated through Kissinger's method by 28.9%, which indicated an excellent catalytic effect for the thermal decomposition of underwater explosive. The results reveal that LiF can improve the combustion efficiency of B powder, thereby increasing the total energy of explosives. The mechanical sensitivity increased slightly after adding LiF-B to the underwater explosive. Compared to the underwater explosive with added B, the mechanical sensitivity of the explosive with added LiF-B was significantly lower.     

具有C轴取向Al3+掺杂型ZnO薄膜的溶胶-凝胶法制备及其性能研究

以乙二醇甲醚为溶剂,采用Sol-Gel法制备出具有C轴取向、可导电的Al3+离子掺杂ZnO透明薄膜,并利用场发射扫描电镜、X-射线衍射、能谱分析、标准四探针和反射光谱仪等对薄膜的组成、结构和光学性能进行了分析.结果表明:Al3+离子掺杂ZnO薄膜为六方纤锌矿型结构,由六棱柱状阵列构成,具有C轴择优取向;薄膜电阻率随Al3+离子掺杂浓度的升高而降低;在可见光区域,薄膜透光率随Al3+离子掺杂浓度的升高而降低,掺杂3％ ZnO薄膜的透光率达到90％左右,禁带宽度为3.25 eV,具备制作薄膜太阳能电池透明导电电极材料的应用价值.     

氧化铝气凝胶复合材料的制备与隔热性能

以仲丁醇铝为先驱体,采用溶胶一凝胶工艺制备氧化铝溶胶,并将其与无机陶瓷纤维毡复合经超临界流体干燥得到氧化铝气凝胶隔热复合材料.利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和氮气吸附等方法对样品微观结构进行分析,利用热平板法对材料的隔热性能进行测试,并分析了氧化铝气凝胶隔热复合材料隔热机理.研究表明:与氧化硅气凝胶相比,氧化铝气凝胶具有更好的耐高温性能,经1000℃热处理后仍然能够较好地保持其纳米多孔结构;将气凝胶与纤维复合后,充分发挥了氧化铝气凝胶优良的隔热特性,使得复合材料的隔热性能较纯纤维毡有了明显的改善,其热面温度1000℃时导热系数为0.0685 W/m·K.     

SiO2 溶胶不同掺杂方式对含氟聚丙烯酸酯/SiO2 杂化涂层性能的影响

用酸催化溶胶-凝胶法制得SiO2溶胶,分别采用共混法和原位聚合法制备含氟聚丙烯酸酯/SiO2纳米杂化涂层.利用红外光谱、扫描电镜等表征了杂化涂层的结构、形态及SiO2相的分散性;研究了SiO2含量、分布和界面状况等与杂化涂层的表面性能和力学性能的关联与影响.结果表明,SiO2在两种方法制备的杂化涂层中均以Si-O网络的形式存在,原位聚合法中SiO2相的分散性优于共混法;含氟聚丙烯酸酯涂层中引入SiO2相后,涂层性能明显提高,共混法的疏水性优于原位聚合法;二者的力学性能随SiO2相含量变化的趋势相同,原位聚合法略优于共混法.     

Thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate catalyzed with CuO nanoparticles

Ammonium perchlorate (APC) is the most common oxidizer in use for solid rocket propulsion systems. However its initial thermal decomposition is an endothermic process that requires 102.5 J·g⁻¹. This manner involves high activation energy and could render high burning rate regime. This study reports on the sustainable fabrication of CuO nanoparticles as a novel catalyzing agent for APC oxidizer. Colloidal CuO nanoparticles with consistent product quality were fabricated by using hydrothermal processing. TEM micrographs demonstrated mono-dispersed particles of 15 nm particle size. XRD diffractogram demonstrated highly crystalline material. The synthesized colloidal CuO particles were effectively coated with APC particles via co-precipitation by using fast-crash solvent–antisolvent technique. The impact of copper oxide particles on APC thermal behavior has been investigated using DSC and TGA techniques. APC demonstrated an initial endothermic decomposition stage at 242 °C with subsequent two exothermic decomposition stages at 297.8 °C and 452.8 °C respectively. At 1 wt%, copper oxide offered decrease in initial endothermic decomposition stage by 30%. The main outcome of this study is that the two main exothermic decomposition peaks were merged into one single peak with an increase in total heat release by 53%. These novel features can inherit copper oxide particles unique catalyzing ability for advanced highly energetic systems.     

用溶胶-凝胶法制备碳纤维三维编织物增强氧化铝基复合材料的研究

本文研究了溶胶－凝胶（Ｓｏｌ－ｇｅｌ）法制备碳纤维三维编织物增强氧化铝（Ａｌ２Ｏ３）基复合材料的成型工艺及其力学性能，研究了两种主要起始物Ａｌ（ＮＯ３）３、ＡｌＣｌ３配制的氧化铝溶胶对复合材料成型工艺和力学性能的影响。分别以Ａｌ（ＮＯ３）３和ＡｌＣｌ３为起始物，制备得到Ⅰ＃、Ｉ＃复合材料。研究表明，以Ａｌ（ＮＯ３）３为起始物配制的溶胶粘度较小，利于材料的致密化。经过溶胶浸渍、凝胶、裂解１３个周期后，Ⅰ＃材料的密度和室温三点弯曲强度分别为１．８６ｇ／ｃｍ３和１４５．２ＭＰａ，而ＩＩ＃材料的密度和室温三点弯曲强度分别为１．６３ｇ／ｃｍ３和１０４．１ＭＰａ，材料均呈典型的韧性断裂模式。用扫描电子显微镜（ＳＥＭ）观察试样的断口形貌，发现断口表面有大量的纤维拔出，纤维表现了较好的增韧效果。     

先驱体转化致密SiC纳米复合材料的制备及其热电性能

以聚碳硅烷和锑改性聚硅烷为先驱体,利用先驱体转化SiC材料的富余自由碳高温石墨化的微观结构演变特点,采用热压烧结、先驱体浸渍—裂解法以及退火工艺制备出先驱体转化SiC纳米复合材料。采用SEM、TEM、XRD和Raman等测试手段表征和分析了相组成和微观结构,讨论了样品的热导率、电导率和塞贝克系数等热电参数随温度变化关系。研究表明,所得致密SiC纳米复合材料为n型热电材料。由于纳米石墨的作用,材料热导率抑制在4–8W/(m?K)范围。1600°C退火处理能够降低热导率,同时提高电导率和塞贝克系数绝对值,使先驱体转化法得到的SiC纳米复合材料无量纲热电优值ZT达到0.0028（650°C）,高于其他已报道的致密SiC/C复合材料和纳米复合材料体系。     

Cu粉粒径及含量对Ni/MH电池负极放电性能的影响

为了提高Ni/MH电池中储氢电极的放电性能,以电解Cu粉为充填材料与活性物质混合制备电极,研究Cu粉粒径及含量对电极性能的影响。研究发现,Cu粉粒径越小,含量越高,电极的放电容量、高倍率放电性能、及在低温和高温下的放电能力均提高,且Cu充填电极的性能优于Ni充填电极。Cu充填电极中析氢反应的交换电流密度较大,过电势较小,说明其电催化活性好,电极反应阻力小。SEM分析发现,充放电循环后的Cu充填电极,其储氢合金颗粒表面覆盖着一层细小Cu颗粒和丝状物,这是电极性能提高的主要原因。     

Effect of nano powder (Al2O3-CaO) addition on the mechanical properties of the polymer blend matrix composite

This work describes the preparation and study of the properties of composite nanoparticles prepared by the sol-gel method which consists of two materials (Al₂O₃-CaO), and study the effect of these nanoparticles on the mechanical behavior of a polymer blend (EP 4% + 96% UPE). The powder was evaluated by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), particle size analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The mechanical behavior of the composite material was assessed by tensile test, bending test and hardness test. The evaluation results of the composite nanoparticles showed good distribution of the chemical composition between aluminum oxide and calcium oxide, smoothness in particles' size at calcination in high and low temperatures, formation of different shapes of nanoparticles and different (kappa and gamma) phases of the Al₂O₃ particles. The results of mechanical behavior tests showed marked improvement in the mechanical properties of the resulted composite material, especially at 1.5%, compared with polymer blend material without nano powder addition. The tensile properties improved about (24 and 14.9) % and bending resistance about (23.5 and 16.8) % and hardness by (25 and 22) % when adding particles of size (63.8 and 68.6) respectively. Therefore, this reflects the efficiency of the proposed method to manufacture the nanocomposite powder and the possibility of using this powder as a strengthening material for the composite materials and using these composite materials in bio applications, especially in the fabrication of artificial limbs.     

Micromechanical simulation and experimental investigation of aluminum-based nanocomposites

Ceramic reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites are widely used in aerospace and auto industries due to their enhanced mechanical and physical properties. In this research, we investigate the mechanical properties of aluminum/Nano-silica composites through experiments and simulations. Aluminum/Nano-silica composite samples with different weight percentages of silica nanoparticles are prepared via powder metallurgy. In this method, Nano-silica and aluminum powders are mixed and compressed in a mold, followed by sintering at high temperatures. Uniaxial tensile testing of the nanocomposite samples shows that adding one percent of Nano-silica causes a considerable increase in mechanical properties of nanocomposite compared to pure aluminum. A computational micromechanical model, based on a representative volume element of aluminum/silica nanocomposite, is developed in a commercial finite element software. The model employs an elastoplastic material model along with a ductile damage model for aluminum matrix and linear elastic model for nano-silica particles. Via careful determination of model parameters from the experimental results of pure aluminum samples prepared by powder metallurgy, the proposed computational model has shown satisfactory agreement with experiments. The validated computational model can be used to perform a parametric study to optimize the micro-structure of nanocomposite for enhanced mechanical properties.     

Scale-up synthesis and characterization of 2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide

2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide (ANPZO), as an insensitive high explosive, with a high yield and excellent purity has been prepared at pilot plant scale by an improved method. The synthesized ANPZO is characterized by IR, laser granularity measurement, SEM and HPLC. The particle analysis revealed that the improved method could offer desired product with average particle size of 40 μm and high purity (>98.45%). The experimental parameters exhibited that the detonation velocity of the formulation based on ANPZO was higher than that of the corresponding TATB formulation. The DSC curve showed that the exothermic decomposition of the product occurred at the temperature between 300.5 °C and 360.4 °C. Furthermore, the sensitivity test suggests its safe nature towards mechanical stimulus.     

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 ϵ-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 20–30 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.     

微米级NaCl微粒的粒度与分散性控制

通过控制酸性环境、添加表面活性剂、加入纳米SiO2粒子和引入超声波场,利用盐析结晶方式制备了粒度较为均匀的NaCl微粒,粒径范围为1～11μm.采用SEM、XRD对NaCl微粒进行了表征,结果表明微粒具有完好的立方体晶体特征和NaCl特征峰.根据实验结果分析了NaCl微粒结晶粒子的形成机理.     

One-step synthesis of FeO(OH) nanoparticles by electric explosion of iron wire underwater

In this study,we investigated electric explosion of iron wire in distilled water with different energy input adjusted by charging voltage.The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),showing the presence of iron and multiple iron-based compounds oxides with contents influenced by the experimental conditions.In particular,pure FeO(OH) nanoparticles were obtained using electric explosion of iron wire with energy input of 1125 J at charging voltage of 15 kV.Analysis of discharge current and resistive voltage data indicate that the high energy input induced by strong plasma discharge at high charging voltage is a key factor to form FeO(OH).This study presents a one-step method to synthesize FeO(OH) nanoparticles using electric explosion of iron wire.