The burning rate of energetic films of nanostructured porous silicon.
A systematic study of nanoenergetic films consisting of nanostructured porous silicon impregnated with sodium perchlorate is carried out. The explosive properties of these films are investigated as a function of thickness, porosity, and confinement. The films' burning rates are investigated using fiber-optic velocity probes, demonstrating that flame-front velocities vary between approximately 1 and 500 m s(-1)  and are very sensitive to the films' structural characteristics. Analysis of the flame profile by high-speed video is also presented, suggesting that the reaction type is a deflagration rather than a detonation. A strong plume of flame is emitted from the surface, indicating the potential for this material to perform useful work either as an initiator or as a propellant. The shape of the flame front transitioned from an inverted V at thin-film thicknesses to a neat square-shaped front once the material became self-confining at 50 μm.
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Centre for Expertise in Energetic Materials, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, Adelaide 5042, Australia.
Andrew
A
Plummer
Valerian
V
Kuznetsov
Timothy
T
Joyner
Joe
J
Shapter
Nicolas H
NH
Voelcker
D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005390:Fires; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D016062:Porosity; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013816:Thermodynamics
D004573:Electrolytes; D013193:Stainless Steel; D012825:Silicon