Combustion Characteristics of Silicon-Based Nanoenergetic Formulations with Reduced Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity

摘要

This paper details the synthesis and combustion characteristics of silicon-based nanoenergetic formulations. Silicon nanostructured powder (with a wide variety of morphologies such as nanoparticles, nanowires, and nano-tubes) were produced by DC plasma arc discharge route. These nanostructures were passivated with oxygen and hydrogen post-synthesis. Their structural, morphological, and vibrational properties were investigated using X-ray diffrac-tometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy. The silicon nanostructured powder (fuel) was mixed with varyingamounts of sodium perchlorate (NaCIO4) nanoparticles (oxidizer) to form nanoenergetic mixtures. The NaCIO4 nanoparticles with a size distribution in the range of 5-40 nm were prepared using surfactant in a mixed solvent system. The combustion characteristics, namely (i) the combustion wave speed and (ii) the pressure-time characteristics, were measured. The observed correlation between the basic material properties and the measured combustion characteristics is presented. These silicon-based nanoenergetic formulations exhibit reduced sensitivity to electrostatic discharge (ESD).