Encapsulating Reactive Nanoparticles in Carbon Nanotubes Using Flame- Based Synthesis

摘要

The objective of this project is to study the feasibility of encapsulating nanoparticles with high aluminum content within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during flame synthesis. In this manner, CNTs may be used to contain/store energetic nanomaterials, such that the resultant propellant/explosive not only possesses ameliorated stability and storage attributes, but also has the same (or enhanced) energy release characteristics. With respect to the gas-phase flow field and its impact on producing such nanomaterials, the effects of fuel composition, flame temperature, inert addition, hydrogen addition, oxygen concentration, and aerodynamic strain rate are investigated. With respect to the catalytic substrate, metal alloys and metal-oxide spinels are compared. It is anticipated that the study will help to determine local gas-phase conditions that will allow nanoparticles to be shed off at a given rate and encapsulated within the CNTs, along with the catalytic substrate properties (e.g. degree of crystallization in metal-oxide spinels) that will affect nanoparticle spacing and size.