Remarkably convenient construction of self-protected nano-aluminum/nickel oxide/perfluorosilane energetic composite to largely enhance structural, anti-wetting and exothermic stability

Development of the structural, anti-wetting and exothermic stability of composite metal based-energetic composite is still a great challenge, especially used in complex environments (e.g. moisture circumstances). Thus, this paper firstly proposed electrophoretic controlled assembly (ECA) technique and facile modification process to construct the multifunctional nano-Al based NiO/perfluorosilane energetic composite films with even distribution of nanoscale particles and triple (a: microstructure, b: anti-wetting and c: exothermic performance) stability of for three years. The ECA dynamics study of Al/NiO particles was deeply explored as a controlled bridge to adjusting the reaction ratio of Al to NiO in product. The target film displays an outstanding high water contact angle of 171 +/- 1 degrees with an almost perfect sphere of droplet placed on that surface, and shows a small fluctuation of anti-wetting ability after immersed and exposure tests. In addition, the total heat output (Q) of product can reach up to ~2.5 kJ/g with a low activation energy of 247.624 kJ/mol, and shows ultra-long exothermic stability for three years. The realization of target film highly compatible with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) here will largely improve the safety level of propellant or detonator system.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a new technique and modification method were proposed to construct nano-Al based NiO/perfluorosilane energetic composite films with triple stability. The target film displayed excellent performance in complex environments.