In situ synthesis of oxidized MXene-based metal cobalt spinel nanocomposites for an excellent promotion in thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

A novel oxidized MXene-supported MCo₂O₄ (oxidized MXene/MCo₂O₄, M = Mn, Zn, Cu and Co) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal assisted calcination method. Various characterization results indicated that MCo₂O₄ nanoparticles were successfully formed in situ on MXene nanosheets, which effectively reduce the aggregation of nanoparticles and remarkably improve the specific surface area, especially MZC (203.5 m² g⁻¹). Among the oxidized MXene/MCo₂O₄ nanocomposites, oxidized MXene/ZnCo₂O₄ (MZC) enormously ameliorated the performance of AP decomposition. With adding MZC (2.0 wt%), the high-temperature decomposition (HTD) temperature of AP could significantly decrease to 297.1 °C, while the decomposition heat could increase to 1409.6 J g⁻¹, respectively. The apparent activation energy of AP decomposition decreased from 209.6 kJ mol⁻¹ (pure AP) to 104.5 kJ mol⁻¹ (AP mixed with MZC). The excellent catalytic performance of MZC might be due to the synergistic effect of MXene nanosheets and ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles. It could be foreseen that MZC would be an excellent material for optimizing AP decomposition and would supply an idea for the development of new catalyst materials.