Tailoring Reaction Dynamics and Combustion Efficiency of Si:CuO Thermites through Strategic Incorporation of B

In this study, boron (B) nanoparticles were incorporated into silicon (Si):copper oxide (CuO) thermites to address the challenges of high ignition temperatures and incomplete combustion in Si-based systems. The combustion characteristics were evaluated via employing pressure cell tests, laser ignition, calorimetry, and thermal analysis. Experimental results revealed that the optimal combustion characteristics were achieved by ternary thermites. The 70%B/30%Si: CuO thermites exhibited a peak pressure of 88.1 kPa/(g cm³) and a pressurization rate of 41.8 kPa/(s g cm³), representing increases of about fourfold and sixtyfold compared to the binary Si: CuO thermites. Additionally, the 50%B/50%Si: CuO thermites achieved a reaction completeness of 85.12%, nearly doubling the efficiency of the binary thermites. Thermal analysis revealed that these performance enhancements result from the incorporation of B, which burns to release high temperatures that melt the passivated silicon oxide layer over the silicon particles. This process reactivates the active Si, enabling it to participate in combustion. Therefore, the incorporation of B is an effective method for enhancing the energetic performance of Si: CuO thermites. This approach provides a strategic pathway for designing thermites with outstanding energetic behavior that are promising candidates for propulsion and pyrotechnic applications.