Double-modified C–MgCo2O4 as a highly active catalytic material for the thermal decomposition of AP and its application for CSPs

Abstract

The design and development of microscopic surface structures and surface defects of nanomaterials provide infinite possibilities for optimizing their catalytic activity. In this study, the microscopic surface structure of MgCo2O4 was modified while introducing combustible porous defective carbon (PDC) in MgCo2O4 by taking advantage of the incomplete decarbonization during solution combustion after the addition of biotemplates. The double-modified Cx-MgCo2O4 (x denotes the abbreviations of Reed, Cherry, Bougainvillea-spectabilis, Crab-apple-flower and Cotton: Re, Ch, Bs, Cf and Co) exhibited high activity in catalyzing the thermal decomposition of AP. Among them, CCo–MgCo2O4 with the highest carbon defect level (ID/IG = 4.54) significantly optimized the thermal decomposition performance of AP. The addition of CCo–MgCo2O4 ensured both the reduction of the AP thermal decomposition THTD (From 473.48 °C to 258.17 °C) and the increase of the AP heat of decomposition (ΔH, From 888.26 J/g to 3669.38 J/g). The introduction of combustible defective carbon in Cx-MgCo2O4 not only provides favorable conditions for the electron transfer process, but also generates synergistic heat during the thermal decomposition of AP and optimizes its energy release behavior. Compared with MgCo2O4, CCo–MgCo2O4 further accelerates the ignition (From 17 ms to 14 ms) of the composite solid propellants (CSPs) and ensures the energy release during combustion.