Controlled\nConstruction of Surface Hybrid Structures\nof Zirconium Powder Assisted by Microdroplets and Photopolymerization\nCollaboration

The controlled construction of hybrid material structures\ncan effectively\nregulate the physical, chemical, and functional properties of materials.\nThis work explores the feasibility of coupling microdroplets technology\nand photopolymerization methods to achieve controllable construction\nof hybrid structures on the surface of ultrafine zirconium (Zr) powder,\nand investigates the effects of different hybrid structures on the\nsurface mechanical properties, thermal oxidation performance, and\nelectrostatic safety of Zr powder. The photopolymerization reaction\nprocess of PMMA on the surface of Zr powder was analyzed, revealing\nthe principle of accelerated photopolymerization reactions within\nmicrodroplets, which was experimentally validated. Furthermore, by\naltering the polymerization reaction conditions and with the assistance\nof hydrofluoric acid (HF), a mechanism for controlling the hybrid\nstructures on the surface of Zr powder was proposed. The results demonstrated\nthat the collaborative effect of microdroplets and photopolymerization\nmethods efficiently controlled the content and structural characteristics\nof the PMMA coating on the surface of Zr powder. The further introduction\nof HF was found to adjust the morphology of the surface hybrid structures\nand significantly improve the thermal oxidation performance and electrostatic\nsafety of the Zr powder. These findings provided insights into the\nsurface property regulation of active energetic materials and paved\nthe way for the controlled preparation of inorganic–organic\nhybrid materials.