Use of nanoparticles in explosives

Abstract

Explosives containing aqueous oxidizer solution, fuel, and a nanoparticle-stabilized foam sensitizer. The explosives may also further contain an emulsifier.

1 . A water-based explosive comprising:
 aqueous oxidizer solution;   fuel; and   a nanoparticle-stabilized foam sensitizer, the nanoparticles having a median particle diameter up to 100 nanometers.   
   
   
       2 . The water-based explosive according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are hydrophilic. 
   
   
       3 . The water-based explosive according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are present in an amount of at least 0.01 dry weight percent. 
   
   
       4 . The water-based explosive according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles have a median particle diameter of up to 50 nanometers. 
   
   
       5 . The water-based explosive according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles have surface groups made from at least one of a silane, an organic acid, or an organic base. 
   
   
       6 . The water-based explosive according to  claim 1 , further comprising an emulsifier. 
   
   
       7 . The water-based explosive according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles include surface-modified nanoparticles. 
   
   
       8 . A water-based explosive precursor comprising:
 aqueous oxidizer solution;   fuel; and   
     nanoparticles having a median particle diameter up to 100 nanometers. 
   
   
       9 . The water-based explosive precursor according to  claim 8 , wherein the nanoparticles include surface-modified nanoparticles. 
   
   
       10 . A method of providing a liquid explosive having a stabilized foam sensitizer comprising:
 incorporating nanoparticles having a median particle diameter up to 100 nanometers into a liquid explosive; and   foaming the liquid explosive,   
     wherein the nanoparticles are incorporated into the liquid explosive in an amount sufficient to stabilize the foamed liquid explosive.