Synthesis of sub-micron nickel particles coated onto aluminum powders via a modified polyol process

Aluminum is commonly used as a fuel additive for propellants. The main limitations to its use lie in comparatively slow ignition and oxidation/combustion kinetics. Combustion performance of aluminized propellants can be improved through the use of Ni-coated Al particles. Sub-micron to nano-sized particles, with their increased reactivity, also improve combustion performance. Hence, in these contexts, fine Ni particles coated onto commercially available micron-sized Al powders using a modified polyol process were synthesized and evaluated. Ni-coated Al powders of various compositions produced by this method showed significant improvement in oxidation kinetics compared to untreated Al powders. The onset oxidation temperatures for the Ni-coated Al powders were found to be significantly reduced compared to pure untreated Al.