Investigating the reaction path and growth kinetics in CuOx/Al multilayer foils

Studies were conducted on Cuox/ Al exothermic reactions in multilayer foils to identify reaction paths and reaction kinetics. The results identified that in the first exothermic reaction, the lateral growth of Al2O3 nuclei appears to control the rate of heat generation and therefore the reaction rate whereas in the second reaction, diffusion of O through the Al2O3 controls the reaction rate in the first half of the exotherm.