Unexpected enhanced reactivity of aluminized nanothermites by accelerated aging

• First thermokinetic study on Aluminized nanothermites to predict their aging and shelf-life. Certain annealing conditions boost the combustion performance while sacrificing heat reservoir. Al based thermites are thermally stable for one century until 200 °C. Al/oxide interface chemistry has more impact reactivity than reaction progress evolution. We examine thermal of four chosen among most commonly used in microenergetic systems: Al/CuO, Al/Fe 2 O 3 , 4 Al/Co . For each nanothermite system, we applied modified Friedmann isoconversional method from DSC signals calculate kinetic parameters reactions function air argon. As result, it is found that all should be when stored at temperatures below °C, except which readily converts into before thermite onset. Then, designed experiments a fixed : (i) as simulated after 100 years storage ambient temperature, (ii) up 5%. The pressure development burning rate aged compared with as-prepared ones. After °C 400 argon, an unforeseen faster pressurization rates observed Al/CuO thermites. STEM EDX show provokes modification aluminum particles structure accompanied softening alumina explains enhanced performances burn rates. Whereas same nanothermites, annealed air, feature reduced due over-oxidations core formation crystalline shell. These results reveal high complexity processes powdered provokes, not only consumption reservoir, but also Al/oxidizer morphology greater material cumulative release