A study on self-assembled nanoenergetic composites of oxidizer nanorods and fuel nanoparticles

It is known that the mechanical, electronic and optical properties are significantly and favorably altered in materials called "nanostructures" which are made from nanometer scale building blocks (usually I to 100 nm). Initiation and detonation properties of energetic composites are dramatically affected by an energetic material's nano structural properties. A new synthesis approach to form NanoEnergetic composite materials was developed by the use of nanorods of oxidizers and self-assembling them with fuel nanoparticles. The use of nanorods resulted in increased surface and reduced mass transport. Self-assembly of the fuel nanoparticles around the oxidizer nanorods produced a better dispersion between fuel and oxidizer and increased the area of contact. The burn velocities of the nanorods based self assembled energetic composites have shown a tremendous increase. We have further optimized many parameters to yield the highest reported burn velocities for thermites.