µAl-based reactive materials with improved energy efficiency by using the fluorine-containing oxidizer perfluoropolyether as an interfacial layer

To enhance the reactivity of micro-sized aluminum (µAl) particles in the energetic materials, the fluorine-containing oxidizer perfluoropolyether (PFPE) was chosen as an interfacial layer based on the molecular dynamics simulation results to construct µAl-based reactive materials. It was determined that PFPE was uniformly distributed on the surface of the µAl particles by various characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This characteristic microstructure could improve the interfacial contacts between fuels and oxidizers. Besides, the thermal analysis and combustion performance evaluation experiment indicated that fluorine-containing oxidizer PFPE participated in the oxidation and combustion of µAl particles. The burning rates of PFPE-functionalized µAl particles were 1.5 to 3.0 times higher than that of µAl particles. Experimental results revealed that the environmental resistance and the overall reactivity of µAl-based reactive materials was improved owing to the characteristic structure and synergistic effects of the components, respectively. This work provides a deeper understanding towards oxidation process and combustion properties.