Flash Ignition and Initiation of Explosives−Nanotubes Mixture

Optical ignition and initiation of energetic materials could thus far be only accomplished through lasers, with specific characteristics of high power, pulse length, wavelength, and a small target area that greatly inhibit their applications. Here, we report that an ignition and an initiation process, further leading to actual detonation, does occur for energetic materials in lax contact with carbon nanotubes that are prone to opto-thermal activity via a conventional flashbulb. Our results show that, for the first time, optical initiation of energetic materials is possible on a large surface area and using ordinary light intensity of several W/cm². The implication is that energetic materials mixed with optically active nanotubes could be new ideal candidates for safety apparatus, such as the firing of bolts on space shuttle rockets and aircraft exit doors.