Passivation Method for Aluminum Nanoparticles

Due to its favorable combustion properties, aluminum is the material of choice in metalized nanoparticle formulations for energetic materials; however, the full potential of aluminum nanoparticles has not been realized due to the presence of a nascent oxide layer (Al2O3) that surrounds the nanoparticles and retards combustion. As a result, the military needs novel passivation techniques that have a minimal effect on the combustion properties but still protect the native Al-metal from oxidation under ambient conditions. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop surface modification chemistry for passivating bare Al-nanoparticles (i.e., Al-nanoparticles that will not form a surface oxide-layer). Using a combination of computational methods and experimental chemistry, TDA will develop surface passivation chemistry that will protect the native Al-metal nanoparticles from oxidation and thereby enhance their reactivity. By developing novel Al-surface chemistry that will passivate bare Al-nanoparticles without the formation of a non-reactive oxide layer, we will develop an air-stable Al-nanoparticle that has a decreased passivation layer thickness and thus will be more reactive.