Trinity System: Leaf-like PVDF/Al@CNTs Composites with Superhydrophobic, Safety, and High Energy-releasing Performance

The development of multifunctional Metastable intermixed composites (MICs) is a highly coveted objective in this field. Inspired by trees, its excellent ability to grasp soil plays an important role in energy conversion. Here, leaf-like PVDF/Al@CNTs (PDC) colloids with an energy conduction network of CNTs were prepared by strong shearing and precipitation in poor solvent. This trinity system achieved synchronous super-hydrophobicity, high safety, and excellent combustion performance. The synergistic effect of CNTs, micro-clusters of PDC and β-PVDF greatly increased the water contact angle (WAC) of the samples, achieving a WAC of 140° when CNTs were added at 3   wt%. The high conductivity and unique CNTs network enable PDC's security and electromagnetic shielding of PDC. Importantly, the sensitivity of the laser ignition and the ignition delay time were tuned. The reaction process of PDC was characterized by DSC-TG-MS, and the main reaction temperature decreases with the addition of CNTs. Moreover, PDC-1 exhibits the highest ignition pressure, energy release, and combustion rate. The combustion process is characterized by simplified simulations, which verify the important role of the unique network of CNTs in PDC for energy conduction during combustion. This work presents a distinctive approach for multifunctional MICs, demonstrating encouraging potential for various applications in energetic materials.