MXene Templated assembly of hierarchical Al/CuO/V<sub>2</sub>C nanothermite with excellent energy release efficiency and highly tunable performance.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40595629.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-60846-7 and PMC identifier 12214845.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
Nanothermite has gained significant attention for its exceptional energy release rate and reactivity, making it a promising material for energetic applications. However, nanoparticle agglomeration significantly hinders its energy release efficiency. To overcome this challenge, we developed an innovative bottom-up strategy and a straightforward preparation method to construct a hierarchical Al/CuO/V<sub>2</sub>C nanocomposite. This is achieved through the ordered self-assembly of Al and CuO nanoparticles in an ethanol suspension, using V<sub>2</sub>C MXene as a template. Our findings show that the Al/CuO/V<sub>2</sub>C nanocomposite exhibits distinct morphologies based on V<sub>2</sub>C concentration: nanosheets at lower concentrations and microspheres at higher concentrations. CuO and Al nanoparticles form the first and second layers outside the V<sub>2</sub>C, respectively, due to the interplay between electrostatic forces and covalent Cu-O-V bonds. This unique structure, along with high reactivity of V<sub>2</sub>C, enables complete Al oxidation, achieving a heat release of 3156.2 J g<sup>-1</sup> with a 10 wt% V<sub>2</sub>C addition-seven times greater than the Al/CuO control group. The concentration-dependent structure allows for tunable energetic performance, from a rapid 3-ms deflagration to a prolonged 16-ms combustion. Reduced gas release enhances safety, paving the way for applications in microinitiators and advancing nanothermite technology.