2.3. Material Characterization. The solid-phase combustion
products were characterized for size,morphology, and chemical
composition using a variety of methods. Scanning electron
microscopy (SEM, LEO 1530) was used for bulk material
morphology, while TEM imaging (Hitachi H-600AB)
was performed for detailed size and morphology analysis.
Particle size distributions were obtained using a semiautomated
MATLAB-based approach described in Bakrania et
al. [26] for particle counts exceeding 100. X-ray diffraction
(XRD) analysis on the powders was performed using Scintag
LT-801 with Cu-Kα X-ray source. Average crystallite size
was estimated using Scherrer crystallite size analysis. X-ray
energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) was performed on
samples in conjunction with the SEM imaging, while inductively
coupled plasma (ICP) analysis was performed to
study the elemental composition of the products.