Energetic Films Realized by Encapsulating Copper Azide in Silicon-Based Carbon Nanotube Arrays with Higher Electrostatic Safety

Abstract

Since copper azide (Cu(N3)2) has high electrostatic sensitivity and is difficult to be practically applied, silicon-based Cu(N3)2@carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite energetic films with higher electrostatic safety were fabricated, which can be compatible with micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS). First, a silicon-based porous alumina film was prepared by a modified two-step anodic oxidation method. Next, CNTs were grown in pores of the silicon-based porous alumina film by chemical vapor deposition. Then, copper nanoparticles were deposited in CNTs by electrochemical deposition and oxidized to Cu(N3)2 by gaseous hydrogen azide. The morphology and composition of the prepared silicon-based Cu(N3)2@CNTs energetic films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The electrostatic sensitivity of the composite energetic film was tested by the Bruceton method. The thermal decomposition kinetics of the composite energetic films were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that the exothermic peak of the silicon-based Cu(N3)2@CNTs composite energetic film is at the temperature of 210.95 °C, its electrostatic sensitivity is significantly less than that of Cu(N3)2 and its 50% ignition energy is about 4.0 mJ. The energetic film shows good electric explosion characteristics and is successfully ignited by laser.