RT Journal Article ID 41b2e7315685d178 A1 Karmakar, Srinibas A1 Hanberry, Jacob A1 Dooley, Kerry M. A1 Acharya, Sumanta T1 PRE- AND POST-COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS OF BORON NANOPARTICLES IN AN ETHANOL SPRAY FLAME JF International Journal of Energetic Materials and Chemical Propulsion JO IJEMCP YR 2011 FD 2012-03-01 VO 10 IS 1 SP 1 OP 17 K1 boron K1 nanoparticles K1 amorphous K1 crystalline K1 combustion K1 boron oxide K1 boric acid AB Nanoscale metallic and metalloid boron particles have high volumetric heating values and are therefore attractive fuel additives for air-breathing propulsion systems. This paper deals with an experimental investigation of the physical and chemical characteristics of boron nanoparticles before and after combustion in a hydrocarbon (ethanol) spray flame. Several characterization techniques, such as (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), porosimetry, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), have been employed with pre- and post-combustion particles. The results suggest that almost all the injected boron, in an initially mostly amorphous form, is converted into a crystalline oxide upon combustion. As the boron oxides cool, they absorb water to eventually form crystalline H3BO3. The product particles are found to be clusters or aggregates similar in structure to the boron nanoparticles. No evidence of unburnt boron was found in the post-combustion particles. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/17bbb47e377ce023,0aab36df4049e475,41b2e7315685d178.html