Anatase–brookite mixed phase nano TiO₂ catalyzed homolytic decomposition of ammonium nitrate

Compared to the conventional ammonium perchlorate based solid rocket propellants, burning of ammonium nitrate (AN) based propellants produce environmentally innocuous combustion gases. Application of AN as propellant oxidizer is restricted due to low reactivity and low energetics besides its near ro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hazardous materials 2011-09, Vol.192 (3), p.1314-1320
Main Authors: Vargeese, Anuj A, Muralidharan, Krishnamurthi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
activation energy
ammonia
ammonium nitrate
Ammonium nitrates
burning
Catalysis
catalysts
catalytic activity
Combustion
Decomposition reactions
Environmental Monitoring - methods
gases
Inhibitors
Kinetics
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission - methods
Models, Statistical
nanoparticles
Nanostructure
Nanostructures - chemistry
Nanotechnology - methods
Nitrates - analysis
oxidants
Oxidizers
phase transition
Propellants
Surface Properties
Temperature
Thermogravimetry - methods
Titanium - analysis
Titanium - chemistry
Titanium dioxide
water
X-Ray Diffraction
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Summary:Compared to the conventional ammonium perchlorate based solid rocket propellants, burning of ammonium nitrate (AN) based propellants produce environmentally innocuous combustion gases. Application of AN as propellant oxidizer is restricted due to low reactivity and low energetics besides its near room temperature polymorphic phase transition. In the present study, anatase–brookite mixed phase TiO₂ nanoparticles (∼10nm) are synthesized and used as catalyst to enhance the reactivity of the environmental friendly propellant oxidizer ammonium nitrate. The activation energy required for the decomposition reactions, computed by differential and non-linear integral isoconversional methods are used to establish the catalytic activity. Presumably, the removal of NH₃ and H₂O, known inhibitors of ammonium nitrate decomposition reaction, due to the surface reactions on active surface of TiO₂ changes the decomposition pathway and thereby the reactivity.
ISSN:0304-3894
1873-3336
DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.06.036