A Versatile Self-Assembly Approach toward High Performance Nanoenergetic Composite Using Functionalized Graphene

Abstract

Exploiting the functionalization chemistry of graphene, long-range electrostatic and short-range covalent interactions were harnessed to produce multifunctional energetic materials through hierarchical self-assembly of nanoscale oxidizer and fuel into highly reactive macrostructures. Specifically, we report a methodology for directing the self-assembly of Al and Bi2O3 nanoparticles on functionalized graphene sheets (FGS) leading to the formation of nanocomposite structures in a colloidal suspension phase that ultimately condense into ultradense macrostructures. The mechanisms driving self-assembly were studied using a host of characterization techniques including zeta potential measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), particle size analysis, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. A remarkable enhancement in energy release from 739 ± 18 to 1421 ± 12 J/g was experimentally measured for the FGS self-assembled nanocomposites.

Formation of Additive-Containing Nanothermites and Modifications to their Friction Sensitivity

“…Reductions in friction sensitivity are also observed on addition of graphene. However, the relationship between additive and friction does not follow a clear trend, and although enhanced energy release has been observed for nanothermites using functionalized graphene (Thiruvengadathan et al 2014), reductions in friction sensitivity in the present work are less attractive than those of hexadecane or MoS 2 . Overall reductions in friction sensitivity from an L-Al fuel and MoO 3 oxidant system initially displaying minimum friction ignition of 10 N can be achieved.…”

Creation of energetic biothermite inks using ferritin liquid protein

“…This suggests that combustion of the energetic liquid can be ignited at lower temperatures and that the overall diffusion of reactive components is much improved in the liquid phase. More generally, our energetic bio-liquids exhibited faster combustion kinetics and released much more energy than nAl powders assembled with periodate salts2, ammonium perchlorate43, graphene oxide44, copper oxide45, molybdenum oxide46 or fluorinated polymers47, but slightly less reactive than our energetic powder containing hemozion crystals20.…”

Nanothermites: A short Review. Factsheet for Experimenters, Present and Future Challenges

“…Resonant acoustic mixing is an elegant technology, which was developed over the past decade for preparing homogeneous solid/solid, solid/liquid and liquid/liquid formulations for various applications. The principle is based on the interaction of low frequency acoustic waves (58)(59)(60)(61)(62)(63)(64)(65) with the material mixed, which induces strong accelerations of the particles up to one hundred times gravitational force [72].…”

“…The case of most complex structures should be considered: For instance, spray techniques can be used to assemble nanoparticles in hollow spheres or to prepare core-shell structures [40,82,104]. The particle recognition, which is based on electrostatic interactions, can be used for assembling fuel and oxidizer in an orderly manner [63]. At larger scale, the aim is to find processes for moving from nanothermite powders to objects that can be more easily integrated in systems.…”