Thermal behavior and combustion performance of Al/Bi2O3 nano thermites with the effect of potassium perchlorate

To study the effect of the addition of potassium perchlorate (KClO4) on the performance of nano thermites, Al/Bi2O3 nano thermites with different mass fraction (wt%) of KClO4 was made by ultrasonic dispersion method. Then, all samples were tested by SEM, DSC and rapid excitation ignition. DSC results showed Al/Bi2O3/10 wt%KClO4 had the highest heat release. Compared with Al/Bi2O3, the heat release increased by 28.32%. The results of activation energy calculations showed Al/Bi2O3/30 wt%KClO4 had the lowest activation energy (Ea). Its activation energy was reduced by 30%, mere about 149.17 KJ mol−1. Finally, it can be seen from the combustion situation that the addition of KClO4 reduced the intensity of burning. This work found a way to increase the heat release or reduce the activation energy of nano thermites by controlling the amount of KClO4 added.