Ignition and Combustion Behaviors of High Energetic Polyhedral Boron Cluster

Compounds containing [B10H10]2− cluster are promising candidates that can be used as high energetic fuels and burning rate modifiers for propellants. The ignition and combustion behaviors of [N(C2H5)4]2B10H10 were investigated using a laser ignition system in air. Results show that [N(C2H5)4]2B10H10 (∼2.0 mm) is ignited with a delay of around 350 ms and threshold ignition energy of 0.7 J at laser ignition power density of 1.14×107 W/m2. Furthermore, the combustion of [N(C2H5)4]2B10H10 in air is found to undergo three stages of decomposition, incomplete combustion of the volatile pyrolytic products, and ejection and combustion of the molten dehydrogenated framework, giving massive smoke and a characteristic pyrotechnic flame.