Cyclic ozone is an attractive candidate for rocket fuel due to its high energy density. However, its extreme reactivity has historically made it impossible to isolate and utilize effectively. The researchers propose that encapsulating cyclic ozone within fullerene cages, a type of carbon molecule, could stabilize the molecule and make it viable for use as a rocket propellant. This approach is similar to strategies previously considered for hydrogen storage and could potentially increase the specific impulse of rocket fuel—a measure of fuel efficiency—by up to 33%.
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