Improvement of the Ignition Performance and Reaction Rate of Boron by Surface Modification
J. Liu, D. Wang, Zh. Zhang, F. Li
National Special Superfine Powder Engineering Research Center of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, P. R. China
Keywords: boron, surface modification, ignition energy, reaction rate, B-based propellant
Abstract
Boron is one of the most valuable fuels for rocket propellants. However, the boron oxide (B2O3) on the B surface has a high boiling point (1860 °C), which hinders the contact between the internal active B and the oxidation component during the ignition and combustion process. As a result, the ignition energy of B is higher and the combustion reaction rate is lower. In order to improve the ignition performance and reaction rate of B, a surface modification of B by means of surface purification by a solvent, surface grafting, and making a composite with aluminum (Al), which has a high combustion temperature, has been prepared. Composite particles of B purified by ethanol and thick flake Al (TF-Al), denoted by EB/TF-Al, have the fastest reaction rate higher by 96.6% than that of raw B and TF-Al composite particles (RB/TF-Al). Surface grafting of B with TF-Al composite particles (KHB-3/TF-Al) ensure the minimum ignition energy, which is 29.1% lower than that of raw B. As the ignition performance and reaction rate of B are improved by means of surface modification, the performance of B-based rocket propellants is expected to be improved.
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