Galvanic Porous Silicon Composites for High-Velocity Nanoenergetics

Porous silicon (PS) films similar to 65-95 mu thick composed of pores with diameters less than 3 run-were fabricated using a galvanic etching approach that does not require an external power, supply. A highly reactive, nano-energetic composite was then created by impregnating the nanoscale pores with the strong oxidizer, sodium perchlorate (NaClO4). The combustion propagation velocity of the energetic composite was measured using microfabricated diagnostic devices in conjunction with high-speed optical imaging up to 930000 frames per second. Combustion, velocities averaging 3050 m/s were observed for PS films with specific surface areas of similar to 840 m(2)/g and porosities of 65-67%.