Graphitic Oxide and Graphene as Enhancers for Energetic Mixtures
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Authors
Luhrs, Claudia C.
Vilardi, Nicholas
Menon, Sarath
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2015
Date
Period of Perfomance: FY14-FY15
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The aim of this project was to study the effects of using graphene (G) and graphitic oxide (GO) as additives in energetic reactions. The thermite oxidative reaction was selected as the initial reaction to test. The rationale behind the use of GO and G as additives originates from the fact that GO has the ability to release its oxygen groups when heated at low temperatures and graphene burns off generating volatile species at moderate temperatures. GO or G were added to thermite mixtures and heated to promote the aluminum oxidation in the presence and absence of iron oxide, in inert and oxygen containing atmospheres. The changes in mass were recorded using thermogravimetric analysis while the heat flows involved were determined by calorimetry. A mass spectrometer analyzed the evolved gases. The solid crystalline precursors and byproducts were identified using x-ray diffraction techniques and their microstructural characteristics and identity studied using microscopy and spectroscopy. Evidenced by the byproducts generated, the thermogravimetric/calorimetric study of the processes and the microstructures observed, the addition of GO or G to aluminum accelerates the oxidation reaction. A mechanism for the different oxidation steps when additives are used was proposed. In addition to the thermite reaction, GO and G were also used as additives in the combustion of propellant mixtures. Testing was conducted to determine changes in visible smoke and flame distance from the propellant during burn.
Type
Report
Description
Claudia C. Luhrs, Nicholas Vilardi, Sarath Menon, GSEAS
Department
Organization
Naval Research Program
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NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Naval Research Program
Prepared for: OPNAV 403 CDR Karen Dallas
Prepared for: OPNAV 403 CDR Karen Dallas
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.