TG-MS study on the activity of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn nanometal catalysts on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.

Five nanometal catalysts of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn were prepared by single displacement reaction and evaluated their catalytic activity towards thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) with respect to lowering of decomposition temperature, boosting of heat energy release and larger evolution of oxidizing decomposition products. The peak temperature of high temperature decomposition was decreased by 93, 55, 47, 15 and 13 °C by adding 0.5% each of Zn, Cu, Ni, Co and Fe respectively. The highest heat energy of 1910 J g−1 was obtained for 0.5% Cu. The evolved gases analysis using thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry revealed new inputs to the catalysed decomposition of AP, especially with respect to chlorine gas evolution. Among the five catalysts studied, copper nanometal powder emerged as the most promising catalyst for thermal decomposition of AP, which can improve the burn rate of the propellant enormously with reduced mass penalties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]