Analysis on thermite reactions of CuO nanowires and nanopowders coated with Al

A thermite reaction between the CuO nanowires and the deposited nano-Al was studied. The heat energy obtained from the reaction was compared with that of CuO and Al nanopowders mixture. CuO nanowires were grown and patterned on glass substrate and nano-Al was deposited on top of it to produce nanoenergetic materials. The released heat energy of the reaction was approximately 1186 J/g, which was higher than that of mixed CuO and Al nanopowders. The higher heat formation mechanism could be explained by the intimate contact and reactivity between the CuO nanowires and the nano-Al. [Display omitted] ► The released heat energy of CuO nanowires coated with nano-Al was higher than that of CuO/Al nanopowders. ► The higher heat formation mechanism could be explained by the more intimate contact, lower level of impurities, and higher reactivities between the CuO nanowires and the nano-Al. ► This structure and reaction can be controlled to occur only in well-defined areas.