Electro-explosion performance of KNO3-filled carbon nanotubes initiator

Abstract

An energetic initiator was developed by integrating KNO3@CNTs nanoenergetic materials with a Cu thin-film microbridge realized onto a ceramic substrate. The electro-explosion performances, including the voltage and current properties, the electro-explosion time, and the explosive sensitivity, of the initiator under capacitor discharge were investigated. The process of electrical explosion was observed by highspeed photography. The explosive sensitivity was obtained by Bruceton method. The results show that the Cu thin-film microbridge and the KNO3@CNTs initiator conducted different electro-explosion behaviours. Compared with the Cu thin-film microbridge, the explosive input energy was lower and the output energy was higher. It indicated that the superior electric and thermal conductivities of the carbon nanotubes and the chemical reaction of the KNO3@CNTs nanoenergetic materials were beneficial for the miniaturization of electropyrotechnics.

Highly energetic compositions based on functionalized carbon nanomaterials

“…The CNT arrays showed excellent electron field emission properties. 202 When KNO 3 /CNTs nEMs were integrated with a CTFM deposited onto a ceramic substrate, the electro-explosion performance was greatly improved. This means that, due to the superior electric and thermal conductivities of CNTs, the enhanced chemical reaction of the KNO 3 / CNTs nEMs is beneficial for the miniaturization of electropyrotechnics.…”

Combustion Performance Improvement of Energetic Thin Films Using Carbon Nanotubes

“…8 Guo et al replaced copper thin film microbridge electropyrotechnics with CNTs combined with potassium nitrate and found that CNTs initiated the ceramic substrate using lower input energy, making it more sensitive. 9 Collins et al showed decreased ESD sensitivity in Al/CuO with the addition of CNTs. 10 Poper et al researched into this phenomena further and discovered that CNTs increase the flame speed of the Al/CuO along with influencing their electrical properties.…”

Carbon Nanotubes for Confinement-Induced Energetic Nanomaterials

“…MWNT have excellent thermoplasticity and expansibility, which was shown by flowing high-pressure gases from explosive decomposition of picric acid through the multi-wall nanotube channels [ 18 ]. CNT with inner diameters around 10–20 nm were filled with potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) by wet chemical method, yielding KNO 3 @CNT nEM, which were integrated with a Cu thin-film microbridge to achieve a micro-electropyrotechnic initiator [ 19 , 20 ].…”