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Synthesis and Characterization of Mixed Metal Oxide Nanocomposite Energetic Materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Brady J. Clapsaddle ,
Lihua Zhao ,
Alex E. Gash ,
Joe H. Satcher Jr. ,
Kenneth J. Shea ,
Michelle L. Pantoya  and
Randall L. Simpson
Brady J. Clapsaddle
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, U.S.A.
Lihua Zhao
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Frederick Reines Hall Irvine, California, 92612
Alex E. Gash
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, U.S.A.
Joe H. Satcher Jr.
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, U.S.A.
Kenneth J. Shea
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Frederick Reines Hall Irvine, California, 92612
Michelle L. Pantoya
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Box 41021, Lubbock, Texas 79409–1021, U.S.A.
Randall L. Simpson
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, U.S.A.
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Abstract

In the field of composite energetic materials, properties such as ingredient distribution, particle size, and morphology, affect both sensitivity and performance. Since the reaction kinetics of composite energetic materials are typically controlled by the mass transport rates between reactants, one would anticipate new and potentially exceptional performance from energetic nanocomposites. We have developed a new method of making nanostructured energetic materials, specifically explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics, using sol-gel chemistry. A novel sol-gel approach has proven successful in preparing metal oxide/silicon oxide nanocomposites in which the metal oxide is the major component. Two of the metal oxides are tungsten trioxide and iron(III) oxide, both of which are of interest in the field of energetic materials. Furthermore, due to the large availability of organically functionalized silanes, the silicon oxide phase can be used as a unique way of introducing organic additives into the bulk metal oxide materials. As a result, the desired organic functionality is well dispersed throughout the composite material on the nanoscale. By introducing a fuel metal into the metal oxide/silicon oxide matrix, energetic materials based on thermite reactions can be fabricated. The resulting nanoscale distribution of all the ingredients displays energetic properties not seen in its microscale counterparts due to the expected increase of mass transport rates between the reactants. The synthesis and characterization of these metal oxide/silicon oxide nanocomposites and their performance as energetic materials will be discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 800: Symposium AA – Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Energetic/Reactive Nanomaterials , 2003 , AA2.7
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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References

REFERENCES

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