High energy release boron-based material with oxygen vacancies promoting combustion

Boron has a high calorific value and good application prospects in energetic materials. However, further applications of boron are hindered by its incomplete combustion. MoO₃ has good catalytic properties, and its layered structure can provide good ion flow channels and embedding positions. In this study, mechanical mixtures of B/MoO₃ and B/Mo were prepared. The promotion of B combustion by MoO₃ and Mo was confirmed via combustion heat and burning rate tests. The mechanism by which Mo/MoO₃ promote B combustion was studied by thermal analysis, high-temperature in situ X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The maximum heat release and burning rate of B/MoO₃ and B/Mo were 2.49 and 2.62 and 2.67 and 2.55 times, respectively, those of raw boron. A pre-ignition reaction occurred when boron first came into contact with the surface of MoO₃. The oxygen vacancies on the MoO₃ surface served as reaction sites for boron. MoO₃ promoted the combustion of B by opening up oxygen channels and improving the oxygen transport capability. Mo also effectively promoted boron combustion. B/Mo and B/MoO₃ have promising future applications as high energy release materials.