ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Material scientists from the U.S. Army and Department of Energy conducted a study of plasma-treated aluminum nanoparticles, with the goal of improving future propellants and explosives.
Researchers from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, and the Center for Nanoscale Materials at the Argonne National Laboratory, investigated a new class of surface-engineered aluminum nanoparticles. They published their findings in the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Physics for a special issue, “Fundamentals and Applications of Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas.” The journal featured the article on the cover of its Feb. 14, 2021, issue.
“The ultimate goal of the effort is to extend the range and disruptive power of Army weapon systems,” said Dr. Chi-Chin Wu, a materials scientist at the laboratory. Wu leads this effort and is the first author of the article. “The paper presents results that support ongoing investigations of aluminum nanoparticles for use as novel energetic ingredients in propellant and explosive formulation.”
The study exploits plasma-based surface treatment and chemical synthesis techniques, she said.
“Images and data obtained from two state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopes at the Center for Nanoscale Materials at the Argonne National Laboratory revealed valuable information on oxide shell phase transformation and the dispersive nature of the deposited carbonaceous materials,” Wu said. “This provides tremendous insight for further optimization.”
The study exploits plasma-based surface treatment and chemical synthesis techniques, she said.
“Images and data obtained from two state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopes at the Center for Nanoscale Materials at the Argonne National Laboratory revealed valuable information on oxide shell phase transformation and the dispersive nature of the deposited carbonaceous materials,” Wu said. “This provides tremendous insight for further optimization.”