Gaseous Products Evolution Analyses for Catalytic Decomposition of AP by Graphene-Based Additives.

Shuwen Chen,Fengqi Zhao,Ting An,Jie-Yao Lyu,Yi Gao,Qi-Long Yan,Xue-Xue Zhang,De-Yun Tang

doi:10.3390/nano9050801

Abstract

A quantitative evaluation method has been developed to study the effects of nanoadditives on thermal decomposition mechanisms of energetic compounds using the conventional thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry (TG/MS) technique. The decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) under the effect of several energetic catalysts has been investigated as a demonstration. In particular, these catalysts are transition metal (Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+) complexes of triaminoguanidine (TAG), using graphene oxide (GO) as dopant. They have been well-compared in terms of their catalytic effects on the concentration of the released gaseous products of AP. These detailed quantitative analyses of the gaseous products of AP provide a proof that the proton transfer between ∙O and O2 determines the catalytic decomposition pathways, which largely depend on the type of reactive centers of the catalysts. This quantitative method could be applied to evaluate the catalytic effects of any other additives on the thermal decomposition of various energetic compounds.

Highlights

Energetic materials (EMs) are widely used as propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics
The thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry (TG/MS) technique has been used to detect the products of thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and TAG-based catalysts coated AP
TG/MS was used to quantitatively study the effects of additives on decomposition mechanisms of energetic compounds, where catalytic decomposition of AP by graphene oxide (GO)-based catalysts has been selected as a typical example

Summary

Introduction

Energetic materials (EMs) are widely used as propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. The decomposition and combustion of EMs are the key parameters that have to be investigated before their applications, which are strongly connected with their compatibility, safety, and performance. In order to get the burning behavior of propellants, researchers usually focus on their thermal property first [4,5]. The thermal behavior of AP has been widely studied during the past several decades [6,7]. The nanoadditives used today in formulations are mostly inert metal oxides or metal oxide composites. To some extent, they may reduce the energy content of the propellants

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