Development of catalytic materials for decomposition of ADN-based monopropellants

Abstract Hydrazine (N 2 H 4 ), one of the widest used liquid monopropellant is to be replaced by “greener” propellants based on ammonium dinitramide (ADN, NH 4 + N(NO 2 ) 2 - ), such as LMP-103S and FLP-106 within the framework of the Horizon 2020 Rheform project. While hydrazine can rely on a catalytic technology based on conventional materials such as γ-Al 2 O 3 (due to the adiabatic decomposition temperature of about 900–1000 °C), LMP-103S and FLP-106 require catalyst support materials that can withstand higher temperatures (about 1650 °C and 1900 °C, respectively) and exhibit a sufficient porosity and resistance to sintering. On these terms, among the various candidates for catalyst support, monolith-shaped supports were investigated.