Injectable conductive hydroxylamine nitrate ionic gel materials crosslinked by xanthan gum for ultra-fast multiple ignitions response via electrical stimulation

Abstract

To achieve accurate and adjustable propulsion power, it is essential to utilize propellant materials undergoing repeated ignition and combustion cycles. Injectable gel propellant materials possess superior mechanical properties and fluidity, allowing for the regulation of their combustion process through the precise control of flow rate. Herein, an injectable conductive ion gel which uses hydroxylamine nitrate ([NH₃OH]⁺[NO₃]^-, HAN) high-energy ion salt as matrix and lithium perchlorate ([Li]⁺[ClO₄]^-, LP) and ammonium nitrate ([NH₄]⁺[NO₃]^-, AN) ion salt to adjust its conductivity was reported. The components of this injectable conductive gel material exhibit high compatibility, as confirmed by XPS and FT-IR analysis, and the uniqueness of the conversion between liquid and solid has established a good supply property. After centrifugation at 5000 r·min^-1 for 15 min, the eccentricity was only 0.6%, demonstrating its excellent stability. Compared with the existing gel propellant materials, its ignition delay time in a single ignition test reached 700ms under 225V and 8ml·min^-1. More importantly, the ignition delay can be reduced to around 200ms after multiple repeated ignition tests, indicating an ultra-fast response phenomenon that rarely occurs in most of the research process, paving the way for realizing the ultrafast multiple repeated application of gel propellant materials in space propulsion.