Pre- and post-combustion characteristics of boron nanoparticles in an ethanol spray flame

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2011

Abstract

Nanoscale metallic and metalloid boron particles have high volumetric heating values and are therefore attractive fuel additives for air-breathing propulsion systems. This paper deals with an experimental investigation of the physical and chemical characteristics of boron nanoparticles before and after combustion in a hydrocarbon (ethanol) spray flame. Several characterization techniques, such as (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), porosimetry, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), have been employed with pre- and post-combustion particles. The results suggest that almost all the injected boron, in an initially mostly amorphous form, is converted into a crystalline oxide upon combustion. As the boron oxides cool, they absorb water to eventually form crystalline H 3BO 3. The product particles are found to be clusters or aggregates similar in structure to the boron nanoparticles. No evidence of unburnt boron was found in the post-combustion particles. © 2011 by Begell House, Inc.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

International Journal of Energetic Materials and Chemical Propulsion

First Page

1

Last Page

17

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