The effect of average particle size of nano-Co3O4 on the catalytic thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate particles

Abstract

In this research, the catalytic effects of nano-Co3O4 with diverse average particle sizes and specific surface area on thermal decomposition property of ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analysis techniques were used to evaluate the coating quality and thermal decomposition property of AP/Co3O4 nanocomposites. The primary evaluations of the results show that the catalytic effects will be increased by decreasing average particle sizes of nano-Co3O4. Also, kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition reaction AP/Co3O4 nanocomposites were calculated by Kissinger, Friedman and Ozawa methods. However, nano-Co3O4 with the smallest average particle size (10–30 nm) and the highest specific surface area (50–150 m2 g−1) has the most significant catalytic effect including decrease in decomposition temperature of AP/Co3O4 nanocomposite by 160 °C, increase in the heat of decomposition from 540 to 1182 J g−1 and decrease in activation energy from 179 to 126 kJ mol−1.