Synthesis of ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO Nanocrystalline by Solution Combustion Method and Their Catalytic Effects on Thermal Behavior of KClO4

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nanocrystalline ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO were synthesized by solution combustion method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Catalytic effects of as-synthesized ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO on thermal behavior of pure potassium perchlorate (KP) and KP/Al mixture were examined by Thermogravimetry-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis combining with SEM-EDS technique. Results showed that as-synthesized ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO both decreased melting and decomposition temperature of pure KP, and the catalytic activity of Cu-doped ZnO was higher than ZnO. Further, it was suggested that catalysts of ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO both promoted solid-state decomposition of KP before melting. In agreement with the catalytic effects on thermal behavior of pure KP, the addition of ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO not only significantly decreased the ignition temperature of KP/Al mixture, but also enhanced the total heat release of KP/Al. Solution combustion method is demonstrated to be an effective method to prepare metal oxide catalysts for catalyzing thermal decomposition of KP.