Regulation of self-assembled microsphere structure and performance through binder synergy

Abstract

Composite energetic material structure plays a critical role in combustion and detonation performance. In this study, boron (B)/copper oxide (CuO) composite microspheres with regular morphology, uniform elemental distribution, high circularity, and good charging performance were prepared using droplet microfluidic technology (DMT) with nitrocellulose (NC) and fluorine rubber (F₂₆₀₄) as binder solutions. The effects of binder synergy on the structure, thermal properties, mechanical sensitivity, and combustion performance of the microspheres were systematically investigated. The results show that the apparent and internal structures, as well as the dimensions of the microspheres, can be modulated by adjusting the binder ratio and the concentration of fluorine rubber. This adjustment allowed for the transformation of the microspheres from bowl-like to spherical forms, improving their charging performance. Additionally, the exothermic peak and output flame temperature of the samples exhibited regular changes after adjusting the binder, enabling controlled regulation of burning speed. This study provides insights into how binder synergy affects the structure and performance of energetic microspheres, offering valuable reference points for the preparation of other composite energetic materials.