The catalytic thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate on CuM_xO_y (M = Fe, Ni, Co and Zn) catalysts and their applications in solid propellant

The excellent thermal decomposition efficiency of ammonium perchlorate (AP) is of great importance for obtaining propellant with fast specific impulse. In this study, four CuM_xO_y catalysts, including M = Fe, Ni, Co, and Zn, were synthesized and then used for catalyzing AP decomposition and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)-based solid propellant combustion. The existed synergistic effect in CuM_xO_y catalysts improved the catalytic activity and the most active CuZnO catalyst decreased the AP high-temperature decomposition temperature (HTD) from 412.5 to 289.4 °C. Kinetic studies indicated that CuM_xO_y catalysts inhibited the conversion of N₂O to a fully oxidized product and decreased the activation energy (E _a) in HTD to concentrate AP decomposition to significantly decrease the heat loss, thereby increasing their decomposition efficiency. When applying the CuM_xO_y catalysts in the HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene)-based solid propellant, a faster burning rate and stronger optical emission spectrum were obtained. The CuM_xO_y catalyst is a potential additive for the preparation of outstanding combustion solid propellants. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].