Synthesis process of nanowired Al/CuO thermite

Al/CuO nanothermites were fabricated by thermal oxidation of copper layer at 450 degrees C for 5 h and by aluminum thermal evaporation: thermal evaporation allows producing thin layer less than 2 gm in size. The copper has been deposited by electroplating or thermal evaporation depending on the required thickness. The obtained diameter of Al/CuO nanowires is 150-250 nm. Al/CuO nanowires composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Two distinct exothermic reactions occurred at 515 and 667 degrees C and total energy release of this thermite is 10 kJ/cm(3). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.