High-performance energetic materials with rapid ignition, efficient heat release, and enhanced safety are urgently needed in propulsion and precision strike systems. Herein, a Mg 0.5 Al 0.5 B 2 -based core-shell-shell composite energetic material (denoted as MCAF) is fabricated using CL-20, AP, and a fluoropolymer via a two-step coating process. The hierarchical architecture enables effective spatial separation of components, improved compatibility, and regulated combustion behavior. Thermal analysis revealed a dual-stage energy release with an activation energy of 429 kJ·mol -1 , about 32% lower than raw Mg 0.5 Al 0.5 B 2 . Oxygen bomb calorimetry showed a combustion heat of 18.6 MJ·kg -1 , reaching 93.5% of its theoretical value and improving by 21% over the physical mixture. Pressure–time tests demonstrated a peak pressure of 7.9 kPa and a pressurization rate of 24.1 kPa·s -1 , which are 58% and 105% higher, respectively, than those of the mixture. Laser ignition experiments revealed a short delay of 13 ms (nearly 60% shorter), with stronger emission intensity and more complete combustion. In addition, MCAF exhibited low mechanical sensitivity (impact energy >20 J). Overall, these results demonstrate that the MCAF composite achieves faster ignition, more concentrated energy release, and higher combustion efficiency, while maintaining excellent safety. This work highlights a scalable strategy for designing next-generation energetic materials with high energy density and improved stability. Mg 0.5 Al 0.5 B 2 -based core–shell–shell composite (MCAF) is constructed to achieve controlled component distribution and structural regulation. This architecture significantly enhances reactivity and energy output while reducing mechanical sensitivity, enabling a synergistic improvement in performance and safety. • A novel Mg 0.5 Al 0.5 B 2 -based core–shell–shell composite (MCAF) is designed, integrating metal fuel, energetic components, and oxidizer into an ordered architecture that enhances interfacial contact and structural stability compared to physical mixtures. • The engineered structure enables improved thermal reactivity and controlled energy release, as evidenced by lower activation energy, optimized exothermic behavior, and enhanced combustion performance. • The composite exhibits superior ignition characteristics and reduced sensitivity, demonstrating that structural regulation effectively balances high energy output with improved safety in multicomponent energetic systems.
Wang et al. (Wed,) studied this question.