A facile one-step route for production of CuO, NiO, and CuO–NiO nanoparticles and comparison of their catalytic activity for ammonium perchlorate decomposition

Abstract

This study demonstrates a straightforward, inexpensive, high-yield, and ecofriendly route for synthesis of sphere-like CuO, NiO, and CuO–NiO (with different molar ratios) nanoparticles (NPs) through emulsion route. These NPs have been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Then, the prepared composites (CuO/AP, NiO/AP, and CuO–NiO/AP) are compared for ammonium perchlorate (AP) decomposition. These composites' thermal decomposition is superior to that of pure AP. Besides, due to their smaller particles size, more active sites, and increased rate of heterogeneous decomposition of deprotonized HClO₄ gas on the catalytic surface, CuO–NiO (1 : 1) NPs show more catalytic activity than CuO and NiO NPs. Here, AP thermal decomposition temperature decreases to around 114.3 °C. Also, effects of the various CuO/NiO NPs molar ratios on the AP thermal decomposition have been taken into account. Finally, with regard to the AP catalytic thermal decomposition, this study has designed the possible mechanism for the synergistic effect between the suggested NPs.