An investigation into the fabrication and combustion performance of porous silicon nanoenergetic array chips

Abstract

An investigation into the ignitions and combustions of porous silicon (PS) nanoenergetic material array chips (nECs) at different ignition voltages was performed. The PS nECs were fabricated by integrating PS nanoenergetic material (nEMs) matrices and Cr-microbridges (microigniters) on the surface of silicon substrates. The combustion of PS nECs was in ambient air. Its ignition and combustion were investigated by a testing system and an optical high-speed camera. Experimental results revealed that the combustion delay time of PS nEMs increased from 8.0 × 10−5 s to 1.1 × 10−4 s with the decrement of ignition voltages from 140 to 80 V. The scope of ignition energy ranged from 0.153 to 0.287 mJ by calculations. The reaction type was deflagration, from the analysis of the high-speed video of PS nECs. The comprehensive experimental results indicated that the combustion of PS nECs was ignited by the synergic effect of the heat and the plasma. The ignition experiments suggested that Cr-microbridges were reliable igniters to trigger the self-sustained combustion of PS nECs. The strong plume of flame emitted from the surface of PS nECs indicated that the PS nECs may be applied as micro/nano igniter chips and microthruster chips.