Nanoporous Carbon Energetic Composite With High Oxidizer Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energetic materials face challenges in achieving high performance, safety, reactivity, and versatility, with industrial production being hindered by cost, toxicity, and limited applicability, particularly in nanoporous silicon and composite propellants.
Innovation Solution
A composite energetic material comprising a nanoporous carbonaceous material with a three-dimensional porosity structure, where at least 30% of the porosity is occupied by an inorganic oxidiser, allowing high adsorption and intermolecular interactions, resulting in a high oxidiser-to-fuel ratio, and produced through a simple impregnation method using a polar solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If nanoporous silicon is used as fuel in composite energetic materials, then high performance is achieved, but cost increases and toxicity problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and toxic nanoporous silicon with a disposable, low-cost, non-toxic organic polymer matrix that can be easily synthesized and processed. The polymer serves as a sacrificial fuel that decomposes completely during the energetic reaction, leaving no harmful residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from inorganic nanoporous silicon to organic polymer, altering the chemical composition, porosity formation mechanism, and decomposition behavior while maintaining the nanoporous structure's energetic performance characteristics.
2Ease of manufacture
If micrometric particles are used in composite propellant, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from zero-dimensional micrometric particles to a three-dimensional interconnected nanoporous network structure within the polymer matrix. This dimensional transformation increases the surface area and porosity while maintaining macroscopic particle integrity, thereby improving combustion performance without sacrificing manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining organic polymer matrix with inorganic oxidizer particles, where the polymer provides structural integrity and porosity while the oxidizer provides energetic performance. This composite approach synergistically enhances both manufacturability and performance.
3Quantity of substance
If nanoporous material with high porosity is used, then adsorption capacity increases, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent porosity of the organic polymer matrix, creating a three-dimensional network of nanoscale pores that provide high adsorption capacity for oxidizer particles. The polymer's molecular structure naturally forms this porous architecture, maintaining mechanical integrity while maximizing surface area for oxidizer loading.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The material achieves high energetic performance, safety, and versatility, with improved mechanical properties and controlled reactivity, suitable for various applications including high explosives and propellant powders, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
at least 30% of the porosity is occupied by an inorganic oxidiser, allowing high adsorption
Implementation Method 2
produced through a simple impregnation method
Implementation Method 3
Pyrotechnic materials and propellant powders release energy via a deflagration process
Implementation Method 4
explosives release energy via a detonation process
Implementation Method 5
an energetic material is a material or mixture of materials capable of rapidly releasing energy via chemical reaction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy-releasing composite material comprising at least one nanoporous material and at least one inorganic oxidant, characterised in that said nanoporous material is a nanoporous carbon material.