AlB2 nanosheets as energetic boosters: enhancement of energetic performance of AlB2 fuels

AlB 2 nanosheets containing nanoscale AlB 2 were obtained via a liquid-phase exfoliation method. • AlB 2 nanosheets/AP composite showed 2.53 times higher peak pressure than bulk AlB 2 /AP. • Enhanced output performance of AlB 2 nanosheets can be attributed to the two-dimensional structure and increased surface area. • AlB 2 nanosheets are a kind of promising high-energy fuel for energetic materials. AlB 2 has been a focused candidate for applying as a solid fuel in energetics. However, the limited energy release rate of AlB 2 fuel restricts its wider adoption. To address this limitation, we prepared AlB 2 nanosheets containing nanoscale AlB 2 by liquid-phase exfoliation to improve the energetic performance of AlB 2 fuel. The microstructure and exfoliation principle of fuels were characterized and investigated. The oxidation kinetics and corresponding oxidation process of the AlB 2 nanosheets were explored. The superiority of AlB 2 nanosheets in terms of combustion release rate was verified by using laser ignition experiments and combustion pressure tests. Additionally, the combustion mechanism of AlB 2 nanosheets was investigated through an analysis of combustion products. The research findings indicate that the peak pressure of the AlB 2 nanosheet/AP composite exhibits a significantly enhanced energy release capacity—2.53 times greater—compared to the bulk AlB 2 /AP composite. The pressure rise rate and burning rate of the former are 3.38 times and 1.46 times those of the latter, respectively, which can be attributed to the existence of two-dimensional AlB 2 and the larger surface area of the AlB 2 nanosheets. This work provides a promising high-energy fuel for energetic materials. Download: Download high-res image (226KB) Download: Download full-size image