Direct Deposit of Highly Reactive Bi(IO3)3- Polyvinylidene Fluoride Biocidal Energetic Composite and its Reactive Properties

Metal iodate oxidizers are synthesized and evaluated as oxidizers in thermite reactions to generate both heat and a biocidal reaction product for bioagent defeat. TGA/DSC/MS and T-jump TOFMS analysis show gas-phase iodine release from metal iodate decomposition at both low and high heating rates. In constant volume combustion tests, Bi(IO3)(3)/Al thermite outperforms other metal iodate/Al and traditional thermites. Mechanically sound composites with high mass loadings of particulates are formed by direct electrospray of synthesized metal iodates, nanoaluminum fuel, and polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) binder/oxidizer, and burn speeds are measured in both air and argon atmospheres.