Ti nanoparticle additives enhance combustion behavior and reactivity in B-based thermites

Abstract

Owing to its high energy density, boron attracts much attention as a fuel in energetic materials. However, its reactivity is limited by the liquid oxide shell during combustion. In this study, we have incorporated Ti nanoparticles into B-fueled thermites with high-oxygen-content potassium oxysalts as the oxidizers. The combustion behavior was characterized via pressure cell and a calorimeter. By evaluating the thermal behavior of thermites, the ignition mechanism of B-fueled and Ti-fueled thermites was revealed. Compared to single-component thermites, the B/Ti binary thermites demonstrated peak pressures that were approximately 1.5 to 3 times higher and exhibited significantly enhanced reactivity. Additionally, they showed an 8–18% increase in combustion efficiency over pure boron-based thermites. Thermal characterization results showed that the onset reaction temperature of B/Ti-based ternary thermites could be effectively tuned by varying the Ti content. Therefore, Ti nanoparticles are effective additives for B-based energetics for enhancing combustion behavior and tuning the reaction temperature.