There is significant interest in developing energy sources capable of larger power densities than what is possible with conventional materials. In our previous works, we proved that by coupling an exothermic chemical reaction with 1D nanostructures, a...
There is significant interest in developing energy sources capable of larger power densities than what is possible with conventional materials. In our previous works, we proved that by coupling an exothermic chemical reaction with 1D nanostructures, a self-propagating reactive wave can be driven along its length with extremely fast reaction velocity, with a concomitant electrical pulse of high specific power that we identify as a thermopower wave. We realized such waves using an annular shell of highly energetic fuel (cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine, TNA) around a carbon nanotube (CNT). Herein, for further understanding, we discuss details in many different aspects about the thermopower wave. Different alignment degree in vertically aligned CNT films is evaluated in reactive wave speed, correlated with its thermal reaction that affects the change of magnitude of energy generation. The effects of the temperature dependent properties of chemical fuels and CNTs are evaluated. Also, we would explore the portions of convection and radiation in this thermal wave as well as synchronization between thermal reaction transfer and oscillation of electrical signal.