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Preparation and Characterization of Silicon-Metal Fluoride Reactive Composites
Siva Kumar Valluri1, Mirko Schoenitz1, Edward Dreizin1,2
1O.H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 2, 2020
Summary
This study explored silicon (Si) and metal fluoride composite powders for enhanced reactivity. The Si/BiF3 composite demonstrated successful ignition and combustion, indicating potential for energetic material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Combustion Science
- Powder Metallurgy
Background:
- Elemental silicon (Si) has limited reactivity and ignition properties.
- Metal fluorides offer potential as oxidizers for energetic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize fuel-rich composite powders of Si with BiF3 and CoF2.
- To assess the reactivity and ignition behavior of these composites.
Main Methods:
- Arrested reactive milling for composite powder synthesis.
- Thermoanalytical measurements in inert and oxidizing atmospheres.
- Ignition testing using a heated filament and laser-induced combustion experiments.
Main Results:
- Both Si/BiF3 and Si/CoF2 composites showed accelerated Si oxidation and facile ignition compared to elemental Si.
- The Si/BiF3 composite exhibited lower ignition temperatures and successful particle combustion.
- Particle burn times correlated with particle size, similar to Al- and B-based composites.
Conclusions:
- Composite formation significantly enhances Si reactivity and ignitability.
- Si/BiF3 composites show promise as energetic materials due to their favorable combustion characteristics.
