Improvement of the ignition performance and reaction rate of boron by surface modification

Boron is one of the most valuable fuels for rocket propellants. However, the boron oxide (B$_2$O$_3$) on the B surface has a high boiling point (1860$^{\circ}$C), which hinders the contact between the internal active B and the oxidation component during the ignition and combustion process. As a result, the ignition energy of B is higher and the combustion reaction rate is lower. In order to improve the ignition performance and reaction rate of B, a surface modification of B by means of surface purification by a solvent, surface grafting, and making a composite with aluminum (Al), which has a high combustion temperature, has been prepared. Composite particles of B purified by ethanol and thick flake Al (TF-Al), denoted by EB/TF-Al, have the fastest reaction rate higher by 96.6% than that of raw B and TF-Al composite particles (RB/TF-Al). Surface grafting of B with TF-Al composite particles (KHB-3/TF-Al) ensure the minimum ignition energy, which is 29.1% lower than that of raw B. As the ignition performance and reaction rate of B are improved by means of surface modification, the performance of B-based rocket propellants is expected to be improved.