Combustible mixtures for oxygen and hydrogen generation based on mechanically alloyed Al/Mg powder

摘要

Because of the high energy density, easy ignition, and good storability, mechanically alloyed Al/Mg powder has the potential to improve the performance characteristics of various energetic and gas-generating materials. The present paper explores the feasibility of using this powder in chemical oxygen generators and for water splitting. The mixtures for oxygen generation consisted of sodium chlorate as a source of oxygen, nanoscale cobalt oxide catalyst, and Al/Mg (1:1 mass ratio) powder, while those for hydrogen generation included water, polyacrylamide as a gellant, and Al/Mg powder. Experiments on combustion of these mixtures were conducted in an argon environment, using laser ignition. For oxygen-generating mixtures, infrared video recording was used to investigate the thermal wave propagation over the mixture pellet. The oxygen generation experiments have shown that mechanically alloyed Al/Mg material is a promising alternative to currently used iron, because significantly smaller amounts of this additive are needed for a steady propagation of the combustion wave. Mixtures of gelled water and mechanically alloyed Al/Mg powder are combustible. The use of polyacrylamide increases the burn rate, but its decomposition produces significant amounts of gases.