Nanostructured energetic materials using sol–gel methodologies

We have utilized a sol–gel synthetic approach in preparing nano-sized transition metal oxide components for new energetic nanocomposites. Nanocomposites of Fe 2O 3/Al(s), are readily produced from a solution of Fe(III) salt by adding an organic epoxide and a powder of the fuel metal. These materials...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of non-crystalline solids 2001-06, Vol.285 (1), p.338-345
Main Authors: Tillotson, T.M, Gash, A.E, Simpson, R.L, Hrubesh, L.W, Satcher, J.H, Poco, J.F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chemical industry and chemicals
Exact sciences and technology
Industrial chemicals
Powders, propellants, explosives
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Summary:We have utilized a sol–gel synthetic approach in preparing nano-sized transition metal oxide components for new energetic nanocomposites. Nanocomposites of Fe 2O 3/Al(s), are readily produced from a solution of Fe(III) salt by adding an organic epoxide and a powder of the fuel metal. These materials can be processed to aerogel or xerogel monolithic composite solids. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of the dried energetic nanocomposites reveal that the metal oxide component consists of small (3–10 nm) clusters of Fe 2O 3 that are in intimate contact with ultra fine grain (UFG) ∼25 nm diameter Al metal particles. HRTEM results also indicate that the Al particles have an oxide coating ∼5 nm thick. This value agrees well with analysis of pristine UFG Al powder and indicates that the sol–gel synthetic method and processing does not significantly perturb the fuel metal. Both qualitative and quantitative characterization has shown that these materials are indeed energetic. The materials described here are relatively insensitive to standard impact, spark, and friction tests, results of which will be presented. Qualitatively, it does appear that these energetic nanocomposites burn faster and are more sensitive to thermal ignition than their conventional counterparts and that aerogel materials are more sensitive to ignition than xerogels. We believe that the sol–gel method will at the very least provide processing advantages over conventional methods in the areas of cost, purity, homogeneity, and safety and potentially yield energetic materials with interesting and special properties.
ISSN:0022-3093
1873-4812
DOI:10.1016/S0022-3093(01)00477-X