Preparation of silane-capped boron nanoparticles with enhanced dispersibility in hydrocarbon fuels

This study describes a method to produce silane-capped boron nanoparticles (NPs) based on surface modification of boron NPs with a silane. These silane-capped boron NPs are highly dispersible in liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as decalin , thus can enhance the energy content of liquid fuels. The experimental conditions for surface modification were optimized. Silane-capped boron NPs were characterized by means of various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the oxide layer resident on the surface of boron NPs is essential to obtain silane-capped boron NPs. The suspension containing silane-capped boron NPs (1   wt%) and decalin are highly stable. No obvious sedimentation was observed even after standing for two months. Silane-capped boron NPs were also stable against air oxidation. The formation mechanism of silane-capped boron NPs was proposed.