Effect of Complexing Agent in Nickel Displacement Deposition on the Exothermic Reactivity of Aluminum Powder

Abstract

Aluminum powder is a representative energetic material with high heat release during oxidation. However, its performance is limited by its native oxide film. In this study, nickel displacement plating is applied to enhance the heat generation behavior of aluminum powder by utilizing the potential difference between aluminum and nickel. Citric acid, ammonium citrate, and malic acid were employed as complexing agents to control the plating behavior, and their effects on the nickel displacement plating morphology and exothermic characteristics were systematically compared. The enhanced heat generation is attributed to a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction associated with the formation of Al-Ni intermetallic compounds. These results demonstrate that the choice of complexing agent is a critical factor in tailoring the reactivity of nickel-coated aluminum powder for energetic applications.