Novel energetic polymers and metal-hybrid compounds

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After the blooming of the information revolution, the turn of this new century has seen energy storage and release, security issues and access to space emerged as new preoccupations. Polymer based materials, such as plastics and composites, have an important role to play in the novel technologies that will be developed to address these concerns. Energetic polymers are not explosives materials per say, but they find use as binders or core components in solid propellants, explosives formulations, and gas generator compositions such as automotive airbags or other explosive actuated safety devices. The metal particles offer fuel potential that is several times the one available in liquid and gas fuels. Both of energetic polymers and metal nanoparticles will become key enablers of novel energetic materials. However, to realize this potential, important breakthrough are required. Safety issues slow down the development and scale-up of novel energetic polymers production process. Metal nanoparticles of interest, such as aluminum, boron and magnesium are rapidly covered by an oxide layer reducing their fuel value and shelf-life. If the idea of reducing the size of metal particles to increase their reactivity is push to its limit, one may think of synthesizing a hybrid compound where metal atoms are directly incorporated in the backbone of a polymer. This research is aimed at developing innovative processes and materials allowing for an increased use of polymers in the field of energetic materials. As more immediate objectives, the synthesis and development of new energetic polymers, polymer passivation coatings on metal nanoparticles and metal hybrids energetic polymers will be considered. The proposed research is an answer to a sector of polymer technology in needs of innovation to face contemporary challenges. Smarter and recyclable airbags, hypervelocity propulsion systems based on metal nanopowders, advanced thrusters for micro-satellites, environmentally friendly high density explosives are examples of potential applications. The research offer opportunities to increase our fundamental knowledge about energetic polymers reaction engineering, chemical energy release from macromolecules and rheology and dispersion of nanoparticles suspensions in polymers media.