Programming an efficient technique for designing smart C-doped MIC with dual self-protection for information and high-energy

Constructing self-protected metastable intermolecular composites (MICs) enables the regulation of microstructures towards boosting controllable detonation performance, and also prevents information leakage, which is meaningful but challenging. Herein, a convenient and efficient method of combining highly-controlled electrophoretic assembly, surface modification and microwave heat treatment was employed to design promising heat-triggered wettability switchable high-energy smart C-doped Al/Cr₂O₃ MIC, and surface modification mechanism was proposed, respectively. The anti-wetting ability of the product was demonstrated by a series of tests of water contact angle, impact resistance, immersion, self-cleaning, etc. The key information recording/encryption procedures were realized by constructing a hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface and adjusting the wettability of the product. In addition, the output heat of asobtained smart MIC can reach ~ 1.5 kJ·g⁻¹, and its attenuation rate was only ~ 30% even after underwater aging, further verifying its potential practicality. Thus, our design provides a promising strategy for engineering smart MIC with diversified functional structures for blasting applications and beyond.