This study investigates a unique energetic material based on nano-porous silicon fuel impregnated with an oxidizer. This energetic material is very promising due to its integration potential with MEMS systems, which are realized using the same raw material – silicon.
Nano-porous silicon is an inert material that can be fabricated by anodization of silicon in a hydrofluoric acid solution. The inert nano-porous silicon structure is transformed into an energetic material by impregnation of a dissolved oxidizer into the nano-pores. The preparation method and the thermal characteristics of this energetic material applying different oxidizers have been investigated thoroughly. Energy outputs as high as 9.3 kJ/g, twice the value for TNT, have been measured using Differential Scanning Calorimeter. The energetic reaction was demonstrated by ignition of the samples using a hot plate above 300°C, a semi-conductor bridge device, and a standard ignitor.
