Development and characterization of a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The design of a reliable and effective catalytic bed with high and reproducible performance is one of the key steps during the development of a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide thruster. The present paper focuses on the development and characterization of such a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. A catalyst pre-screening performed by Heraeus on various precious metal-based catalysts supported on alumina granules showed that Pt is the most promising metal for the decomposition of H 2 O 2. Some further investigations were carried out to study the influence of various preparation parameters on the catalytic activity of the Pt catalysts. The prepared catalysts were characterized with various technics (transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area) to better understand the impact of the studied preparation parameters on the catalyst activity for hydrogen peroxide decomposition. Finally, some monopropellant firing tests were performed by ONERA using the most promising catalysts and this paper presents some of the results obtained in their test facility.

Sputtered highly effective iridium catalysts: a new approach for green satellite propulsion

“…Besides the efficiency of combustion of those catalysts at even ambient temperatures, most of the state-of-the-art catalysts are used in a pre-heated mode. Noble metals of the platinum group have as common features suitable resistance to oxidation, sufficient thermal stability, and a high affinity toward catalytic peroxide decomposition [7]. These features make them valuable key players in catalytic-driven monopropellant propulsion systems, working in pulse trains or in continuous-firing mode [8].…”