Waterless electrically operated propellant

Abstract

An electrically operated propellant includes an electrolyte source. The electrolyte source is an ionic liquid, a polyelectrolyte, or a combination thereof. The electrically operated propellant also includes a polymeric binder. The electrically operated propellant is substantially waterless with a water content of less than 10 wt. % water based on total weight of the electrically operated propellant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrically operated propellant comprising:
 an electrolyte source, the electrolyte source being an ionic liquid, a polyelectrolyte, or a combination thereof; and   a polymeric binder;   wherein the electrically operated propellant is substantially waterless with a water content of less than 10 wt. % water based on total weight of the electrically operated propellant.   
     
     
         2 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 1 , wherein the ionic liquid is a salt that melts into a liquid without decomposing or vaporizing. 
     
     
         3 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically operated propellant is waterless with a water content of 0 wt. % water. 
     
     
         4 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 1 , further comprising a perchlorate oxidizer. 
     
     
         5 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte source is a perchlorate-based electrolyte source. 
     
     
         6 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 1 , wherein the polyelectrolyte is a polycation, a polyanion, a polyampholyte, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 1 , wherein the ionic liquid comprises a metal. 
     
     
         8 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 1 , wherein the ionic liquid is 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride; 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium perchlorate; 1-alkyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate; 4-amino-1-butyl-1,2,4-triazolium nitrate or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . An electrically operated propellant comprising:
 an electrolyte source, the electrolyte source being a polymer comprising a plurality of electrolyte groups; and   a polymeric binder;   wherein the electrically operated propellant is substantially waterless with a water content of less than 10 wt. % water based on total weight of the electrically operated propellant.   
     
     
         10 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 9 , wherein the electrically operated propellant is waterless with a water content of 0 wt. % water. 
     
     
         11 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 9 , further comprising a metal fuel. 
     
     
         12 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer comprising the plurality of electrolyte groups is a polymerized ionic liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer comprising the plurality of electrolyte groups is a polycation, a polyanion, a polyampholyte, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The electrically operated propellant of  claim 9 , further comprising a perchlorate oxidizer. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making an electrically operated propellant, the method comprising:
 combining an electrolyte source and a polymeric binder to form a propellant composition, the electrolyte source being an ionic liquid, a polyelectrolyte, or a combination thereof; and   forming the propellant composition into a solid propellant configuration;   wherein the electrically operated propellant is substantially waterless with a water content of less than 10 wt. % water based on total weight of the electrically operated propellant.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the ionic liquid is a salt that melts into a liquid without decomposing or vaporizing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the ionic liquid is a polymerized ionic liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the polyelectrolyte is a polycation, a polyanion, a polyampholyte, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising combining a metal fuel with the electrolyte source and the polymeric binder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electrically operated propellant is waterless with a water content of 0 wt. % water.