Synthesis of metal iodates from an energetic salt

Iodine containing oxidizers are especially effective for neutralizing spore forming bacteria by generating iodine gas as a long-lived bactericide. Metal iodates have been shown to be strong oxidizers when combined with aluminum fuel particles for energy generating applications. One method to produce metal iodates in situ is by using metal oxides and an energetic salt: aluminum iodate hexahydrate (Al(H₂O)₆(IO₃)₃(HIO₃)₂), which is called AIH. In this study, the thermal stability and reactivity of AIH with metal oxides commonly used in energetic formulations was investigated. Three metal oxides: bismuth(iii) oxide (Bi₂O₃), copper(ii) oxide (CuO), and iron(iii) oxide (Fe₂O₃) were investigated because of their different oxygen release properties. Each metal oxide powder was combined with AIH powder. Thermal stability and reactivity were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and reactive properties calculated to supplement experimental observations. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was also used to identify the product species at various stages of heating corresponding to exothermic activity. Results show that AIH decomposition is entirely endothermic but, with the addition of metal oxide powder to AIH, exothermic reactions transform metal oxides into more stable metal iodates. This analysis provides an understanding of the compatibility of AIH with metal oxides and contributes to the development of novel energetic composites that have the advantages of both thermal and biocidal mechanisms for spore neutralization.