Enhanced performance of Al/B/Fe2O3 composite thermite prepared via electrophoretic deposition technology

Abstract

In order to improve the overall performance of traditional thermite, Al/B/FeO composite thermites were synthesized using electrophoretic deposition technology. The morphology, structure, composition, thermal reaction properties, reaction process, and reaction activity were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and simultaneous thermal analyzer (TG-DSC). The results indicate that the components of the prepared Al/B/FeO composites were uniformly distributed and closely interconnected, with the preparation process not altering the composition and structure of the components. Compared with Al/B/FeO thermite prepared by physical mixing and Al/FeO thermite by electrophoretic deposition, the Al/B/FeO thermite prepared by electrophoretic deposition exhibited a lower reaction onset temperature (524.9 ℃), higher heat release (1240.9 J·g), and greater reactivity (=168.3 kJ·mol). These findings underscore the significant enhancement effect of boron addition and the electrophoretic deposition method on the overall performance of Al/FeO thermite. Analysis of the reaction mechanism reveals that the Al/B/FeO composite thermites underwent a series of complex transformations, including thermite reactions, alloying reaction between Al and B, direct oxidation reactions of Al, B, Fe, and nitriding reaction of B, within the temperature range of thermal analysis from room temperature to 1100 ℃. These results provide crucial support for material innovation, performance optimization, and application expansion of thermites.