Isolation of Boron and Carbon Atoms in Cryogenic Solids

Abstract

Boron and carbon atoms, and their dimmers and trimers were isolated in solid argon by co-condensation of their vapors onto a substrate maintained at 10 K. Growth and disappearance of various clusters with 3 to 12 atoms that occurred during annealing was studied by quantitative Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The annealing experiments indicated that the initially formed solids contained about 80% B and C atoms and BC molecules. At 5 mole percent atom concentration these High Energy Density Materials (HEDM) could be applied in propulsion where they are capable of producing about 25% higher specific impulse than the best rocket engines fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 13, 2003
Accession Number
ADA417017

Entities

People

  • C.w. Larson

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Boron Carbides
  • Energetic Materials
  • Geometry
  • High Energy
  • Low Temperature
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Military Research
  • Molecules
  • Propellants
  • Rocket Engines
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Vaporization
  • Vapors

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Quantum Chemistry