Synthesis of CuO Nanocrystals Supported on Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes for Nanothermite Applications

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) can ofer high surface area (>700m(2)/g). MWNTs functionalized with energetic groups can find wide applications in advanced energetic systems. We coat MWNTs with copper through electroless plating and subsequently anneal the hybrid Cu-MWNT material at 250 degrees C to develop CuO-MWNT. TEM micrographs showed that MWNTs of 20-30nm and 5-10nm outer and inner diameters and 0.5-2.0 mu m length were homogeneously decorated with CuO nanoparticles; XRD diffractograms revealed highly crystalline structure. Since CuO particles can act as effective oxidizer for aluminium in nanothermite applications. CuO-MWNTs were effectively dispersed with aluminium nanoparticles (100nm) in isopropyl alcohol; subsequently colloidal nanothermite particles were dispersed into molten tri-nitro toluene (TNT). Upon initiation, the nanothermite colloid offered not only an increase in the shock wave strength of TNT by 29% using ballistic mortar test; but also an increae in brisance (destructive effect) by 15.6%. Futhermore the developed hybrid nanothermite offered an increase in the total heat release by 108% using DSC.