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Applied Sciences
Volume 15
Issue 23
10.3390/app152312495
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Preparation and Performance of Core–Shell Structured B@NiF2/AP Composite Micro-Units

by
Jiaqi Cao
1,2,†,
Yinhui Li
1,†,
Changlin Zhu
3,†,
Yunpeng Deng
1,
Songyuchen Ma
1,
Deqi Wang
1,
Kunquan Duan
1 and
Jie Liu
1,*
1
National Special Superfine Powder Engineering Research Center of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
2
CITIC Heavy Industries (Beijing) New Energy Material Technology Company, Beijing 102600, China
3
School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12495; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312495
Submission received: 2 October 2025 / Revised: 18 November 2025 / Accepted: 24 November 2025 / Published: 25 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Aerospace Science and Engineering)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Boron (B) powder is a promising high-energy fuel but suffers from inefficient combustion due to its native boron oxide (B2O3) passivation layer. Surface coating is a crucial strategy to overcome this limitation. In this study, core–shell structured B@NiF2/ammonium perchlorate (AP) composite micro-units with varying mass ratios were prepared using planetary ball milling to optimize energy release and combustion performance. The optimal formulation for the ternary composite was determined to be 0.5% NiF2, 13.3% B, and 86.2% AP. Morphological characterization revealed that NiF2 was uniformly coated on the B particles, forming a dense shell. Thermal analysis indicated that the NiF2 interfacial layer, through its high-temperature decomposition (NiF2 → Ni + 2F·), released highly reactive fluorine radicals (F·) that etched the B2O3 layer, generating volatile boron oxyfluoride and creating void structures. This led to a maximum heat release of 8912 J/g and a reaction mass gain of 74.58%, indicating more complete combustion. The material also exhibited a minimal ignition delay of 0.618 s and the lowest ignition energy (22.17 J). Overall, the B@NiF2/AP composite provides a novel solution for applying boron fuel in solid propellants and pyrotechnic technologies.
Keywords: boron; surface coating; ignition performance; combustion rate; core–shell composite structure boron; surface coating; ignition performance; combustion rate; core–shell composite structure

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cao, J.; Li, Y.; Zhu, C.; Deng, Y.; Ma, S.; Wang, D.; Duan, K.; Liu, J. Preparation and Performance of Core–Shell Structured B@NiF2/AP Composite Micro-Units. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 12495. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312495

AMA Style

Cao J, Li Y, Zhu C, Deng Y, Ma S, Wang D, Duan K, Liu J. Preparation and Performance of Core–Shell Structured B@NiF2/AP Composite Micro-Units. Applied Sciences. 2025; 15(23):12495. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312495

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cao, Jiaqi, Yinhui Li, Changlin Zhu, Yunpeng Deng, Songyuchen Ma, Deqi Wang, Kunquan Duan, and Jie Liu. 2025. "Preparation and Performance of Core–Shell Structured B@NiF2/AP Composite Micro-Units" Applied Sciences 15, no. 23: 12495. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312495

APA Style

Cao, J., Li, Y., Zhu, C., Deng, Y., Ma, S., Wang, D., Duan, K., & Liu, J. (2025). Preparation and Performance of Core–Shell Structured B@NiF2/AP Composite Micro-Units. Applied Sciences, 15(23), 12495. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312495

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