Nanothermite
composites have been prepared by ultrasonic mixing of 200 mg of Bi2O3 nanoparticles of average diameter of 90–210
nm (procured from Sigma-Aldrich, India) with 50 mg of Al nanopowder
of average diameter of 80 nm (procured from Neo Ecosystem Pvt Ltd
India) in isopropyl alcohol (30 mL) in a Sonics Vibra-Cell ultrasonic
processor (model VCX130, 130 W, 20 kHz, Sonics & Materials, Inc.).
The ultrasonication process disperses and breaks apart the agglomerates
of Bi2O3 and Al nanoparticles and promotes homogeneous
mixing. The ultrasonication process has been continued for ∼10
min in this synthesis by keeping the on–off pulsing time equal
to 10 s to avoid any thermal gradient within the solution. Finally,
the isopropyl alcohol is evaporated by drying the well-homogenized
slurry at 90 °C in a hot air oven and the dried powder is extracted
and immediately kept under vacuum to avoid any moisture absorption.
composites have been prepared by ultrasonic mixing of 200 mg of Bi2O3 nanoparticles of average diameter of 90–210
nm (procured from Sigma-Aldrich, India) with 50 mg of Al nanopowder
of average diameter of 80 nm (procured from Neo Ecosystem Pvt Ltd
India) in isopropyl alcohol (30 mL) in a Sonics Vibra-Cell ultrasonic
processor (model VCX130, 130 W, 20 kHz, Sonics & Materials, Inc.).
The ultrasonication process disperses and breaks apart the agglomerates
of Bi2O3 and Al nanoparticles and promotes homogeneous
mixing. The ultrasonication process has been continued for ∼10
min in this synthesis by keeping the on–off pulsing time equal
to 10 s to avoid any thermal gradient within the solution. Finally,
the isopropyl alcohol is evaporated by drying the well-homogenized
slurry at 90 °C in a hot air oven and the dried powder is extracted
and immediately kept under vacuum to avoid any moisture absorption.