CORE-SHELL REACTIVE ALUMINUM NANOPARTICLES WITH A PHOTODEGRADABLE POLYMER SHELL

摘要

Aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) are important for energetic applications because of their high reactivity and energy storage capacity ; however, challenges arise when it comes to their storage and handling because of their high reactivity with atmospheric molecules. We have discovered ways to control this reactivity and stability for small (<20 nm) Al NPs by using substituted epoxide, alkene, and alkyne monomers for NP surface polymerization reactions, reactivity is controlled by passivation. Some of these monomers produce caps that prevent atmospheric molecular oxidation of the metal core for extended periods of time, weeks to months, under standard atmospheric conditions. The caps have proven to be so effective at preventing oxidation that the nanoparticles are stable in water for several days, indicating that a high energy input is needed to access the Al core.