Nickel Nanoparticles with Superior Catalytic Activity for Autonomous Decomposition of Ammonium Percholorate

Abstract

Nickel nanoparticles with partially filled d-shell could offer advanced catalytic performance; to common solid propellant catalysts (ferric oxide). This study reports on the facile fabrication of nickel and ferric oxide catalysts of 10 nm, and 5 nm particle sizes respectively. Fabricated particles were re-dispersed in organic solvent and effectively integrated into ammonium percholorate (AP). Elemental mapping confirmed uniform particle dispersion into APC. The catalytic efficiency of nickel was evaluated to Fe2O3 particles using DSC and TGA. AP demonstrated endothermic crystallographic phase change at 242 0C, with subsequent two exothermic decomposition reactions. Nickel demonstrated decrease in endothermic phase change by 49 % compared with 39 % for ferric oxide; this action means high catalytic activity with low activation energy. Whereas AP demonstrated total heat release of 742 J/g; nickel offered enhanced heat output by 89 % compared with 57 % for ferric oxide. The two main decomposition peaks were merged into single peak. Nickel demonstrated decrease in main decomposition temperature by 105 oC compared with 62 oC for ferric oxide. This manuscript shaded the light on nickel as novel emergent nanocatalyst with superior performance for advanced energetic systems.