Elucidating the impact of sodium azide on the thermal and combustion characteristics of boron-based fuel-rich propellants

This study focuses on enhancing thermal, energetic and combustion properties of boron based solid fuel-rich propellant (SFRP) by doping boron with sodium azide. The challenges associated with boron's combustion efficiency, such as high ignition temperature and oxide film formation, are addressed. The research explores the potential of using sodium azide as a coating agent for boron in SFRP formulation. The prepared propellants based on boron and boron modified with sodium azide undergo thorough characterization for physico-chemical, thermal, energetic and combustion properties, including FTIR, RAMAN, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), bomb calorimetry and combustion test. Additionally, based on the results obtained by DSC tests, a comprehensive kinetic analysis was performed using iso-conversional methods, notably It-KAS and It-FWO. The obtained results confirm the positive effect of sodium azide on thermal, energetic and combustion properties of boron based SFRP.