Templated Synthesis of Aluminum Nanoparticles for Stable Energetic Materials

Reactive nanoparticles as energetic materials have received much recent attention for a variety of existing and/or potential applications. Among more extensively investigated are nanosized (sub-100-nm) aluminum (Al) particles. Their large specific surface area and energy density, when coupled or mixed with oxidative species, make them unique combustible additives in propellant formulations. Nanoscale Al particles are also studied as high-capacity hydrogen storage materials. Therefore, significant effort has been made in the development of synthetic methodologies for Al nanoparticles of desired properties.