title: Combined flame and electrodeposition synthesis of energetic coaxial tungsten-oxide/aluminum nanowire arrays.
abstract: A nanostructured thermite composite comprising an array of tungsten-oxide (WO2.9) nanowires (diameters of 20-50 nm and lengths of >10 μm) coated with single-crystal aluminum (thickness of ~16 nm) has been fabricated. The method involves combined flame synthesis of tungsten-oxide nanowires and ionic-liquid electrodeposition of aluminum. The geometry not only presents an avenue to tailor heat-release characteristics due to anisotropic arrangement of fuel and oxidizer but also eliminates or minimizes the presence of an interfacial Al2O3 passivation layer. Upon ignition, the energetic nanocomposite exhibits strong exothermicity, thereby being useful for fundamental study of aluminothermic reactions as well as enhancing combustion characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers University , Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States.
authors.forename: Zhizhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Jafar F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Al-Sharab
authors.forename: Bernard H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kear
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Tse
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry; D053770:Nanowires / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; C511604:tungsten oxide; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D014414:Tungsten