Colloid Thermite Nanostructure: A Novel High Energy Density Material for Enhanced Explosive Performance

Thermites can offer vigorously-exothermic self sustained reactions. At nanoscale, reaction rate could be enhanced significantly. The most potential oxidizers for nanothermite applications include ferric oxide and copper oxide. Aluminium, with combustion enthalpy of 32,000 J/g, is of concern. Fe2O3(4.0 nm) and CuO (25.2 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis. Oxide NPs were re-dispersed in organic solvent with aluminium NPs. The developed stoichiometric colloids were integrated into TNT. Whereas Fe2O3/Al offered an increase in TNT destructive effect by 25%; CuO/Al offered an increase in TNT destructive effect by 35%. The significant impact of CuO/Al mixture could be ascribed to low ignition temperature; the low boiling temperature of resulted Cu metal could contribute to shock wave. Additionally, nanoscopic CuO/Al mixture could offer high oxygen release rate at lower temperature. It can be manifested that the effective thermite reaction propagates at maximum rate was introduced into TNT detonation wave.

Automated summary

Nanothermites exhibit vigorously-exothermic reactions and enhanced reaction rates at nanoscale. The integration of oxide NPs with aluminium NPs in TNT can significantly improve its destructive effect, with CuO/Al mixture offering the highest increase at 35%. The low ignition temperature and high oxygen release rate of nanoscopic CuO/Al play a crucial role in this enhancement.