Abstract
Carbon-coated copper nanoparticles (CCNPs) were prepared by initiating a high-density charge pressed with a mixture of microcrystalline wax, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and copper nitrate hydrate (Cu(NO3)2·3H2O) in an explosion vessel filled with nitrogen gas. The detonation products were characterized by transmission electron microcopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microcopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of CCNPs on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) were also investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Results indicated that the detonation products were spherical, 25-40 nm in size, and had an apparent core-shell structure. In this structure, the carbon shell was 3-5 nm thick and mainly composed of graphite, C8 (a kind of carbyne), and amorphous carbon. When 5 wt.% CCNPs was mixed with 95 wt.% AP, the high-temperature decomposition peak of AP decreased by 95.97, 96.99, and 96.69 °Cat heating rates of 5, 10, and 20 °C/min, respectively. Moreover, CCNPs decreased the activation energy of AP as calculated through Kissinger’s method by 25%, which indicated outstanding catalysis for the thermal decomposition of AP.
Highlights
Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is one of the main oxidizer in composite solid propellants (CSPs), in which it plays a significant role in the burning behavior.[1,2] AP is difficult to decompose at low temperature; thermal catalysts are added into the AP-based propellants to improve the burning performance
Carbon-coated copper nanoparticles (CCNPs) were successfully prepared by detonating a charge filled with the mixture of microcrystalline wax, RDX, and copper nitrate hydrate
The CCNPs are spherical in shape and range from 25 nm to 40 nm in size
Summary
Carbon-coated metal nanoparticles as catalysts in the field of AP thermal decomposition has rarely been reported. Carbon-coated metal nanoparticles have been fabricated through numerous methods, such as arc discharge,[9] ion beam sputtering,[10] laser,[11] chemical vapor deposition,[12] high-temperature pyrolysis,[13] and detonation.[14,15] Among them, detonation method is the most method because of its facile process, low cost, and short reaction time. Scholars of Dalian University of Technology have researched about carbon-coated metal nanoparticles prepared through detonation method. They prepared metal-salt and explosive xerogel through sol-gel first, and the explosive precursor xerogel were initiated through a detonator in an explosive chamber.[16,17,18] The preparation process of the explosive precursor xerogel is complicated and its density is low. The effect of carbon-coated copper nanoparticles (CCNPs) on thermal decomposition of AP was explored in this study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
