Sponge-like Al/PVDF films with laser sensitivity and high combustion performance prepared by rapid phase inversion.

• Sponge-like microvoids structure Al/PVDF fuel rich films were prepared. • These films exhibit excellent combustion performance and laser sensitivity. • The reactions ratios of Al-O 2 and Al-PVDF when burning were determined. • The released H 2 , H 2 O and AlF 3 gases from Al droplet reduce Al NPs sintering. The aluminum-fluorine reaction hold great potential in crippling Al pre-combustion sintering and agglomeration during combustion. Herein, the laser-sensitive Al/PVDF fuel rich films were prepared by employing a sponge-like microvoids structure through a phase inversion method coupled with micro-segmented flow, displaying the laser power threshold and ignition delay time by less than 4.8 J·cm−2 and 1.57 ms compared to unignited dense Al/PVDF pellet by a 19.6 J·cm−2 laser. The decreased Al atoms plasma electron temperature and a reduced F irons density with the increased Al content, imply a reduction of Al-F reaction ratio. This Al/PVDF films reveal 5 times higher flame propagation rate and mass consumption compared to the vacuum freeze-dried one, contributing to enhanced convective heat transfer in sponge-like microvoids channels. The ambient oxygen and released HF diffusion in microvoids, creating Al-F, Al-O competitive reaction path. The Al-O and Al-F reactions proportions of Al-30, Al-50 and Al-70 in open air were determined by 2:98, 41:59 and 74.5:22 after inferring evaporated AlF 3 combustion products and O 2 reactant by several assumption and calculation based on XPS results. The released gaseous H 2 and AlF 3 from Al droplet surface reduce nano-aluminum sintering. The different reaction paths of Al/PVDF films during combustion and thermal analysis were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]