Enhanced performance of barium and cobalt doped spinel CuCr2O4 as decomposition catalyst for ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

The spinel oxide, CuCr2O4 is well known for its catalytic applications. In this study an attempt was made to explore the catalytic effects of CuCr2O4 and Barium and Cobalt doped CuCr2O4 on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP), a widely used rocket propellant oxidizer. The nano catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal method and characterized by Powder XRD, SEM, TEM and BET. The nano catalyst embedded AP samples were prepared and thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of prepared nano catalysts on the AP thermal decomposition process. The prepared nano catalysts were efficient in lowering the decomposition temperature, among which highest efficiency was shown by cobalt doped CuCr2O4. Pure AP showed decomposition at 356 ​°C whereas catalyzed samples showed decomposition below 309 ​°C. Further, an attempt was made to elucidate the possible decomposition mechanism by Coats-Redfern method.