A novel nano-energetic system based on bismuth hydroxide

Abstract

We report the first study of gas generation and thermal wave behavior during the performance of a novel nano-energetic system based on aluminum and bismuth hydroxide Al–Bi(OH)₃. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that this system is comparable to one of the most powerful known nano-thermite systems, Al–Bi₂O₃, in terms of energy capacity per initial charge mass, and may generate more than twice the gaseous products: 0.0087 mol g⁻¹. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis shows that homogenization of the as-received powder using mechanical activation is an essential step to reduce the decomposition energy of bismuth hydroxide by 30%. This results in nano-thermite with higher pressure discharge abilities. The mechanical activation with energy of 450–750 kJ g⁻¹ is enough to transform micro-meter sized particles to sub-micro and nano-sized particles. The resulting nano-thermite generated a significant pressure discharge with a value of up to 5.6 kPa m³ g⁻¹.