| Abstract: | The preparation and characterization of a series of D‐gluconic acetal supramolecular organic gelators (Gn) which can form gel with high‐energy density hydrocarbon fuel JP‐10 are reported. Rheological measurements show G8 gel exhibits strong mechanical strength at a concentration of 2 wt %, while G18 gel has a remarkable yield stress. What's more, JP‐10 gels show thixotropy with high viscosity, especially for the G8‐based gel, which has an instantaneous recovery ratio. The CGC (critical gelator concentration) of G8 is less than 0.1 wt %, known as a super gelator. More interestingly, G18 can gel JP‐10 at room temperature, which is the first example of room temperature gel propellant formed by a supramolecular gelator. Nano accelerants (Al, B) are dispersed into the gel propellant system, which can be stable for months. The presence of 50 nm Al powder in G8‐based gel can significantly increase its mechanical strength, yield stress and viscosity, as well as thixotropy. |
