Superior reactivity of ferroelectric Bi2WO6/aluminum metastable intermolecular composite. (16th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Feiyu; Hirt, Benjamin; Biswas, Prithwish; Kline, Dylan J.; Yang, Yong; Wang, Haiyang; Sehirlioglu, Alp; Zachariah, Michael R.
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 247(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-16
• Subjects: Energetic material -- Metastable intermolecular composite -- Piezoelectric -- Combustion; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2021.116898
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Piezoelectric bismuth tungsten oxide (Bi2 WO6 ) was studied as an oxidizer for aluminum-based nanothermites. The pressurization rate of Al/Bi2 WO6 increased almost by a factor of ten compared to Al/Bi2 O3 . The superior reactivity is attributed to condensed phase initiation and vigorous gas release. Al/Bi2 WO6 is a potential candidate for coupled piezoelectric and nanoenergetic composites. Abstract: Recently, the interest in exploring energetic materials beyond their basic reactive properties has grown. One such potential approach is to tune the sensitivity or reactivity by piezoelectric response to an external electric field. A wide selection of oxidizers including ferro/piezoelectric materials makes ideal candidates for such applications. Herein, ferroelectric bismuth tungstate (Bi2 WO6 ) has been explored as an oxidizer for aluminum-based MICs. The reactivity of Al/Bi2 WO6, Al/Bi2 O3, Al/WO3 and Al/(Bi2 O3 + WO3 ) composites was measured using a combustion cell, temperature-jump time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-speed imaging. Al/Bi2 WO6 shows a pressurization rate almost ten times higher than that of Al/Bi2 O3, with a reaction that initiates in the condensed phase with a relatively low ignition temperature (920 K). The volatility of bismuth leads to vigorous release of gaseous species, which can promote heat convection and reduce reactive sintering leading to a highly reactive system.