Multifunctional Nanocatalysts for Fuel Combustion: Modification of Functionalized Graphene Sheets with Tetrazine Molecules

Abstract

Metal- and metal oxide-based nanocatalytic and energetic fuel additives have been shown to enhance combustion in high speed propulsion systems; however, the generation of non-energetic products diminishes combustion performance. These setbacks can be overcome with alternative materials which both enhance and participate in fuel combustion. The attachment of 3,6-dichloro-(1,2,4,5)-tetrazine (TzCl2) molecules to functionalized graphene sheets (FGSs) is expected to create such high energy and high surface area compounds which can be used in more complex nanopropellant and nanocatalytic structures. In this thesis, attempts have been made towards covalent grafting of TzCl2 to FGSs using a nucleophilic substitution reaction pathway and collidine catalyst. A combination of techniques including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, atomic force microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis have been used to characterize reaction products. Experimental results suggest that reactions occur upon heating TzCl2-collidine solutions, reducing the amount of pure TzCl2 before FGSs are introduced. Evidence indicates that these interactions could compete with the nucleophilic substitution reaction; however, it is also possible that tetrazine derivatives created in the reaction system exhibit catalytic and energetic properties and can be used towards the desired applications.