Improved Energetic-Behaviors of Spontaneously Surface-Mediated Al Particles

Surface-mediated Al particles are synthesized by incorporating the stable fluoride reaction of Al-F on a pure Al surface in place of natural oxides. Al particles with fluoro-polymer directly adsorbed on the surface show a considerable capability to overcome limitations caused by the surface oxide. Here, we report that Al fluoride when spontaneously formed at the poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Al interface serves as an oxidation-protecting layer while also providing an efficient combustion path along which the internal Al rapidly reacts with external oxygen atoms. Both thermal oxidation and explosion tests of the poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Al particles show superior exothermic enthalpy energy and simultaneously rapid oxidation reactivity compared to those of Al2O3 passivated Al particles. It is clearly elucidated that the enhanced energetic properties of Al particles mediated by poly(vinylidene fluoride) originate from the extraordinary pyrolytic process of Al fluoride occurring at a low temperature compared to Al2O3 passivated Al. Hence, these results clarify that the surface mediation of Al particles can be significantly considered as advanced technology for many energetic applications.