Nano-energetic materials have recently become a subject of intense interest due to improved performance in terms of energy release, ignition, and mechanical properties. Here we report the mechanism of highly energetic behavior of nano-crystalline porous silicon. We show that the nanocomposite reacts at lower temperatures than that required for the dehydration of NaClO4 center dot 1H(2)O by itself. Using time-resolved emission during energetic reaction and infrared absorption analysis after explosion, we demonstrated the formation of O and OH radicals during the explosion. A detailed chemical mechanism for the formation of O and OH radicals is presented based on QRRK estimates. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.