Enhanced catalytic behavior of La2O2CO3/Co3O4 composite for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

• Published in: The Journal of physics and chemistry of solids 2023-11, Vol.182, p.111580, Article 111580
• Main Authors: Zhu, Yunjiong, Yu, Xin, Zhang, Guofei, Yan, Zhiyong, Xiao, Xuechun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AP/HTPB propellant; Interface; La2O2CO3/Co3O4; Solution combustion; Thermal decomposition
• ISSN: 0022-3697; 1879-2553
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2023.111580

In this work, La2O2CO3, Co3O4 and La2O2CO3/Co3O4 composites were prepared by one-step solution combustion with citric acid as oxidant and lanthanum nitrate and cobalt nitrate as reductants. Morphology analysis showed many pores of different sizes on the surface of the composite. The best catalytic performance was for the La2O2CO3/Co3O4 composite. The high-temperature decomposition (HDT) of ammonium perchlorate (AP) decreased by 187.7 °C, and the activation energy decreased from 371.6 to 140.6 kJ mol−1. The combustion process of AP/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene solid propellant containing La2O2CO3/Co3O4 was more intense, the ignition delay time was shortened from 30 to 25 ms and the time to reach maximum combustion effect was advanced from 370 to 190 ms. Through the mechanism analysis, we believe that the adsorption of NH3 by La2O2CO3 promotes AP decomposition and also causes breakage of N–H bonds, which accelerates the oxidative decomposition of NH3. The Co3O4 has unfilled 3d orbitals, which could accelerate electron transfer during the reaction. At the same time, the interface between the two substances leaks more active sites, further accelerating electron transfer. Therefore, La2O2CO3/Co3O4 composites are expected to be widely used in solid propellants. La2O2CO3/Co3O4 multi-void sheets were prepared in one step by solution combustion method. The heterogeneous interface of the composite improves the electrical conductivity and exposes more active sites. The unfilled 3D orbitals of Co3O4 synergistically interacted with the multi-basic sites of La2O2CO3 to promote the thermal decomposition of AP and enhance the combustion performance of AP/HTPB propellant. [Display omitted] •Multi-void sheet La2O2CO3/Co3O4 was synthesized in one step by solution combustion with low manufacturing cost.•The heterogeneous interface of the composite improves the electrical conductivity and exposes more active sites.•The unfilled 3d orbitals of Co3O4 and the multi-alkaline sites of La2O2CO3 promote the thermal decomposition of AP.•La2O2CO3/Co3O4 makes AP/HTPB propellant burn more violently.