Aluminum nanoparticles have been synthesized and successfully passivated with an o-carborane cap. Previous studies have performed this process using epoxides and alkenes to great success. Aluminum nanoparticles have been studied for many potential energy storage applications, such as potential fuel additives, solid rocket fuels, and solar cell dopants. Boron nanoparticles have been studied for similar applications in energetics as fuel additives. Through passivating the nanoparticles with o-carborane, highly stable and energetic material has been synthesized. This presentation will focus on the characterization of this novel material. Powder X-Ray Diffraction has been used to confirm the synthesis of fcc aluminum, and the presence of o-carborane. It is seen that over 24 hours, the o-carborane peaks disappear from the pattern, however the aluminum stays, suggesting the occurrence of some chemical reaction involving the carborane. Transmission electron microscopy has been used in conjunction with scherrer analysis to determine particle sizes averaging 24 nm. Thermal stability has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analysis. Solid State 11B NMR has also been performed on aged nanoparticles, in an attempt to identify the unknown carborane. Dielectric measurements have also been performed to analyze conductive properties of the material.

Synthesis and characterization of o-carborane passivated aluminum nanoparticles

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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