Pioneering insights into the superior performance of titanium as a fuel in energetic materials

In this work, for the first time, spotlight was shined on in-depth understanding reaction mechanism of nanoTi-based thermite. It found that adding nanoTi into thermite can improve combustion efficiency and lower ignition temperature Al based nanothermites. This experimental study aims at establishing mechanisms driving improvement by quantitatively analyzing oxidation Ti in contact with a strong oxidizer, such as CuO. Magnetron-sputtered CuO/Ti nanothermites were prepared, partially reacted characterized using microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, spectroscopy X-ray diffractometric. Results show ? 70 % heat Ti/CuO system is released within single exotherm 430 °C, thus confirming early fast oxidation. High resolution electronic microscopy reveals titania, terminal oxide, grown propagates layer, driven diffusion/reaction oxygen atoms CuO 300 °C. Spectroscopy measurements redox undergoes two-step process: oxidized TiO further crystalline TiO2 500 confirms be great interest addition or replacement nanothermites, applications where it desirable to temperature. Adding two bilayers prior deposition CuO/Al multilayers allows decreasing time below ms (200 µs) against 15 without CuO/Ti. Also, burn rate enhancement factor × 3, reduction delay 700 obtained when replacing standard multilayers.