Catalysis of solid phase reactions effect of doping of cupric oxide catalyst on the thermal decomposition and explosion of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

In the presence of cupric oxide the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate takes place to the extent of 55–60% below 700 °C, and explosion occurs at 260 °C, i.e. at a temperature 200 °C below that of the explosion of pure ammonium perchlorate. Increase in the defect electron concentration of cupric oxide catalyst (building-in of lithium oxide) accelerates the reaction rate and shortens the induction period. An opposite effect was experienced when chromic oxide was built in. The effect of the defect electron concentration of the catalyst was shown in the explosion of ammonium perchlorate, since this occurred at the lowest temperature in the presence of cupric oxide doped with the lithium oxide. The activation energy of the decomposition between 180–200 °C is 31 kcal. A similar value (30.5 kcal) was obtained from the dependence of the time necessary to reach explosion as a function of temperature. The results obtained are discussed in accordance with the electron transfer mechanism. The decomposition of ammonium perchlorate was also studied between 200–230 °C. Here the activation energy is 41 kcal.