Research progress in the synthesis of high-energy-density fuels
Lifu Xiong, C.-Y. Wu, M.L. Li, Boxiong Shen
Abstract
High-Energy-Density (HED) fuels are the main component of aircraft power systems. The main purpose of HED is to increase the flight distance of aircraft and maintain good dynamic performance under extreme conditions. HED fuels are mainly divided into single-component of polycyclic HED fuels and caged HED fuels, mixed-component of bio-HED fuels and nano-fluid HED fuels based on their composition. However, the research on HED fuels is not sufficient. In this paper, the characteristics of HED fuels are introduced, and the synthesis progress of in-service HED fuels is reviewed, including the synthesis of polycyclic HED fuels by polymer method, hydrogenation method and isomerization method, the synthesis of caged HED fuels by catalytic polymer reaction, the synthesis of bio-HED fuels by polymer method, condensation method and alkylation method, and the preparation of energetic nanoparticles by surface modification of nanoparticles (e.g. aluminum, boron) nano-fluid HED fuels. Finally, the advantages, disadvantages and application prospects of these fuels are evaluated, and the development trend of HED fuels is prospected. • HED Fuels composition were classified and the preparation methods were summarized. • The relationship between composition and performance of HED Fuels were revealed. • The environmental effect of HED Fuels was discussed. • Multi-ring, high-stress and Nano-Fluid fuels are the direction of HED fuels.