In situ synthesis and catalytic decomposition mechanism of CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite on AP and RDX

Abstract

In order to develop a usable low-cost nanocomposite with better catalytic performances for solid propellants, the CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite commonly used in photocatalysis was first used as combustion catalysis. CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was designed and successfully prepared by in situ solvothermal method. And the synergistic effect of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles and g-C3N4 on the thermal decomposition of 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and ammonium perchlorate (AP) and their catalytic decomposition mechanisms were analyzed systematically. The results indicate that g-C3N4-based combustion catalyst exhibits better catalytic decomposition effect on AP and RDX compared to bulk g-C3N4 and related GO-based catalysts (CuFe2O4/GO). CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites shift the decomposition of RDX to a lower temperature with the increase of g-C3N4 content, while present the opposite trend for AP. Besides, the thermal decomposition stages and related products of AP and RDX probed by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS) reveal that CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 catalyst reduces their decomposition temperatures, changes their decomposition processes and presents a better catalytic decomposition effect on AP and RDX. Thus, nano g-C3N4-based metal composite oxides used as combustion catalysts will be a more viable strategy in the field of solid propellants.