Bio-inspired nacre-like fluorographene/Al energetic paper with superior chemical reactivity and mechanical properties.

• Nacre-like FG/Al energetic paper was designed and prepared. • A significantly enhanced energy and pressure output are obtained. • FG/Al energetic papers shown self-propagate combustion reaction at micro-scale. • The chemical reaction mechanism was distinctly elucidated. • FG/Al energetic paper displayed high flexibility and strain. Developing functional devices requires energetic materials with comprehensive performance including high energy density, excellent chemical reactivity and mechanical properties. Herein, an effective strategy inspired by nacre-like architecture was employed to construct new fluorographene (FG)/nano-aluminum (Al) energetic paper through a vacuum filtration induced self-assembly process. FG/Al energetic paper showed ultrahigh reactivity and high flexibility owing to combined effect of the nacre-like architecture and interfacial interaction. FG/Al energetic paper exhibited significantly enhanced energy output (3257.7 J/g) and self-propagate combustion reaction with high pressure output at micro-scale. Chemical reaction mechanism was distinctly elucidated based on reactive molecular dynamics simulations and the combustion products of FG/Al energetic paper. More interestingly, FG/Al energetic paper displayed high flexibility and strain (5.39%) reported for the first time. The bio-inspired route provides a promising approach to design advanced energetic materials for applications in transportation, aerospace, and military industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]