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Direct deposit laminate nanocomposites with enhanced propellent properties
Xiangyu Li1, Philip Guerieri1, Wenbo Zhou1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 28, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed a novel laminate structure using energetic nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. This approach enhances mechanical properties and reactivity for advanced propellant applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Energetic nanoparticles in polymer matrices pose challenges for propellant applications, specifically achieving high energy density without compromising mechanical integrity or reactivity.
- Traditional methods struggle to balance high particle loading with material stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a new laminate structure strategy for incorporating energetic nanoparticles into a polymer matrix.
- To enhance the mechanical and reactive properties of energetic materials for propellant applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a laminate structure using alternating layers of aluminum nanoparticle (Al-NPs)/copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO-NPs) thermites within a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) reactive binder.
- Utilized an electrospray layer-by-layer deposition method to create uniform and mechanically flexible layers.
- Incorporated spacer layers of PVDF between the reactive layers.
Main Results:
- Achieved uniform and mechanically flexible deposited layers with up to 60 wt % Al-NPs/CuO-NPs thermite loading.
- The laminate structure demonstrated significantly superior reactive and mechanical properties compared to single-layer structures with identical compositions.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of high energetic material loadings within the laminate architecture.
Conclusions:
- Multilayer laminate structures enable higher loadings of energetic materials in polymer matrices.
- The proposed laminate architecture enhances both mechanical integrity and reactive properties compared to homogeneous structures.
- Additive manufacturing approaches hold promise for developing tailored architectures for advanced propulsion systems.
