Perfluorosulfonic Acid Ionomer Based Reactive Materials: Preparation and Performance Evaluation

Fluoropolymer based reactive materials (FRM) have huge potential in propellant, thermobaric ammunition and damage augmentation applications due to high reaction enthalpy, excellent insensitivity and robust mechanical properties. However, existing FRM do not achieve ideal properties due to the difficulties to achieve fluoropolymers that satisfy both high F (fluorine) content and good processability, new fluoropolymer/s with high F content and good processability is urgently desired. Perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer (PFSA) is unique water-soluble fluoropolymer with intrinsic advantage for fluorinated reactive materials by combing the processability of fluoroplastics/fluororubbers and high F ratio of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), but application in reactive materials is extremely rare. Herein, we report PFSA based nano reactive materials (nRM). The material can be prepared in a very simplified solution mixing process, benefiting mass production of FRM, but holds impressive energy release, with 3 times larger heat release than that of PTFE based nRM. Characterization and analysis demonstrated that PFSA promoted (1) intimacy and interaction between fluorinated macromolecules and nano Al particles, and thus causes good dispersion and material strength; (2) reactivity between fluorinated macromolecules and nano Al particles due to its lower stability compared to PTFE and intimacy to nAl. Our work supports a new choice for developing high performance reactive materials, devices, and ammunitions.