Thermoplasmonic Ignition Of Metal Nanoparticles

Keywords

energetic materials; energy harvesting; laser processing; Plasmonics

Abstract

Explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics are energetic materials that can store and quickly release tremendous amounts of chemical energy. Aluminum (Al) is a particularly important fuel in many applications because of its high energy density, which can be released in a highly exothermic oxidation process. The diffusive oxidation mechanism (DOM) and melt-dispersion mechanism (MDM) explain the ways powders of Al nanoparticles (NPs) can burn, but little is known about the possible use of plasmonic resonances in NPs to manipulate photoignition. This is complicated by the inhomogeneous nature of powders and very fast heating and burning rates. Here, we generate Al NPs with well-defined sizes, shapes, and spacings by electron beam lithography and demonstrate that their plasmonic resonances can be exploited to heat and ignite them with a laser. By combining simulations with thermal-emission, electron-, and optical-microscopy studies, we reveal how an improved control over NP ignition can be attained.

Publication Date

3-14-2018

Publication Title

Nano Letters

Volume

18

Issue

3

Number of Pages

1699-1706

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b04739

Socpus ID

85043790457 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85043790457

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