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Updated: Sep 25, 2025
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Selective Area Modification of Silicon Surface Wettability by Pulsed UV Laser Irradiation in Liquid Environment
Published on: November 9, 2015
8.3K
Effect of Fluoroalkylsilane Surface Functionalization on Boron Combustion.
Jihyun Baek1, Yue Jiang1, Andrew R Demko2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 25, 2022
Summary
Surface functionalization of boron particles with fluoroalkylsilanes enhances their combustion properties. The longest fluorocarbon chain (F17) demonstrated the most powerful energetic performance and highest heat of combustion, improving boron fuel efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Combustion Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Boron is a high-energy fuel with high volumetric and gravimetric heating values.
- Boron combustion is hindered by its native oxide layer and high melting/boiling points.
- Fluorine-containing additives can enhance boron combustion by removing surface oxides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To chemically functionalize boron particles with fluoroalkylsilanes.
- To evaluate the ignition and combustion properties of functionalized boron particles.
- To determine the effect of fluorocarbon chain length on boron's energetic performance.
Main Methods:
- Surface functionalization of boron particles using three fluoroalkylsilanes (FPTS-B, FOTS-B, FDTS-B).
- Evaluation of ignition and combustion characteristics of pristine and functionalized boron particles.
- Analysis of energetic performance, heat of combustion, and BO2 emission.
Main Results:
- Boron particles functionalized with the longest fluorocarbon chain (F17) showed the highest energetic performance.
- The F17-functionalized boron exhibited the greatest heat of combustion.
- Enhanced BO2 emission was observed for the F17-functionalized boron particles.
Conclusions:
- Chemical surface functionalization with fluoroalkylsilanes is an effective strategy to improve boron ignition and combustion.
- Longer fluorocarbon chains on boron particle surfaces lead to superior energetic performance.
- This approach offers a promising route for enhancing boron-based high-energy fuels.
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