Bio-inspired nacre-like fluorographene/Al energetic paper with superior chemical reactivity and mechanical properties

Developing functional devices requires energetic materials with comprehensive performance including high energy density, excellent chemical reactivity and mechanical properties. Herein, an effective strategy inspired by nacre-like architecture was employed to construct new fluorographene (FG)/nano-aluminum (Al) energetic paper through a vacuum filtration induced self-assembly process. FG/Al energetic paper showed ultrahigh reactivity and high flexibility owing to combined effect of the nacre-like architecture and interfacial interaction. FG/Al energetic paper exhibited significantly enhanced energy output (3257.7 J/g) and self-propagate combustion reaction with high pressure output at micro-scale. Chemical reaction mechanism was distinctly elucidated based on reactive molecular dynamics simulations and the combustion products of FG/Al energetic paper. More interestingly, FG/Al energetic paper displayed high flexibility and strain (5.39%) reported for the first time. The bio-inspired route provides a promising approach to design advanced energetic materials for applications in transportation, aerospace, and military industries.

Automated summary

In this study, a new fluorographene/nano-aluminum energetic paper was successfully constructed using a vacuum-filtration induced self-assembly process inspired by the nacre-like architecture. The FG/Al energetic paper exhibited ultrahigh reactivity, high flexibility, and the ability to self-propagate combustion reaction with high pressure output at micro-scale. This bio-inspired approach provides a promising method for designing advanced energetic materials for applications in transportation, aerospace, and military industries.