CuO nanoparticles supported on three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped graphene as a promising catalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

In the present work, CuO nanoparticles grown on three-dimensional nitrogendoped graphene-based frameworks (CuO@3D-(N)GFs) were synthesized using a two-step method. After the synthesis of three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene, CuO nanoparticles were deposited on it, by adding cupric acetate followed by thermal treatment. Different analysis methods were used to characterize the products. The as-prepared nanocomposite was used as a promising catalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as one of the most common oxidizer in composite propellants. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) techniques were used to investigate the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate. According to the DSC/TGA, high temperature decomposition of AP decreased to 111°C in the presence of 4% CuO@3D-(N)GFs and the total heat release (ΔH) from decomposition of AP increased to 1893 J g −1 which is much more than 590 J g −1 for pure AP.

Novel in situ synthesis of copper nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide and its application as a new catalyst for the decomposition of composite solid propellants

“…Hosseini et al enhanced the catalytic performance, diminishing 111 C the HTD by the application of 4% wt. of copper oxide nanoparticles supported on nitrogendoped graphene, 35 while Paulose and coworkers introduced a nanocomposite of functionalized white graphene and copper oxide, achieving a reduction of 50 C of the HTD with 3% wt. of the catalyst.…”

Enhanced Thermal Decomposition Properties and Catalytic Mechanism of Ammonium Perchlorate over CuO/MoS2 Composite

“…N 2 O formation may be from the fast reaction of •O 2 − and h + in CuO/MoS 2 with NH 3 . A decreased production of NO and the appearance of NH 3 was observed, indicating the incomplete oxidation of NH 3 which will promote the formation of more O 2 and N 2 O . The produced acid gases HCl, Cl 2 , ClO 2 et al could corrode the surface of aluminum powers, thus exposing more active aluminum to react with oxygen‐rich compounds, such O 2 and N 2 O.…”

“…A decreased production of NO and the appearance of NH 3 was observed, indicating the incomplete oxidation of NH 3 which will promote the formation of more O 2 and N 2 O. [22,25,44] The produced acid gases HCl, Cl 2 , ClO 2 et al could corrode the surface of aluminum powers, thus exposing more active aluminum to react with oxygen-rich compounds, such O 2 and N 2 O. This could further oxidize fuels in a propellant system to promote the combustion of AP-nAl-CuO/MoS 2 composite.…”

“…For the strategy of loading CuO onto supports, inert supports were often chosen, such as alumina, carbon nanotubes, SBA‐15 and those likes. Recently, g‐C 3 N 4 and graphene were used to support CuO to catalyst AP decomposition, which exhibited better catalytic performance in AP decomposition than pure CuO . This was due to the synergetic effect between CuO and g‐C 3 N 4 (or graphene) in which heat energy could excite the g‐C 3 N 4 to form conduction‐band electrons (e‐) and valence‐band holes (h+).…”

“…Recently, g-C 3 N 4 and graphene were used to support CuO to catalyst AP decomposition, which exhibited better catalytic performance in AP decomposition than pure CuO. [25,26] This was due to the synergetic effect between CuO and g-C 3 N 4 (or graphene) in which heat energy could excite the g-C 3 N 4 to form conduction-band electrons (e-) and valence-band holes (h+). According to electron transfer theory, the produced electron (e − ) and hole (h + ) might further react with NH 3 and HClO 4 (gas mixtures in low temperature stage of AP decomposition) to speed up the AP decomposition.…”