Catalytic effect of CuO nanoplates, a graphene (G)/CuO nanocomposite and an Al/G/CuO composite on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

Tenorite CuO nanoplates, a graphene (G)/CuO nanocomposite and an Al/G/CuO composites were investigated in this paper as potential catalysts for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP); the most common oxidant used in composite propellant formulations. Tenorite CuO nanoplates and the G/CuO nanocomposite were successfully obtained by a facile hydrothermal method; the Al/G/CuO composite was prepared using physical mixing of the G/CuO nanocomposite and aluminum powder with sonication and dispersion. The catalytic activity of these materials was investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results of DTA indicated that the three materials ameliorate the thermal decomposition of AP, especially the G/CuO nanocomposite and Al/G/CuO composite, where the high temperature decomposition (HTD) of AP decreases from 432 °C to 325 °C and 315 °C, respectively. Significant decrease in activation energy (E_a) (from 129 kJ mol⁻¹ to 71.47 kJ mol⁻¹ and 56.18 kJ mol⁻¹) was also achieved in the presence of these two materials, showing their strong catalytic activity on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.