CuO nanoparticles supported on three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene as a promising catalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

In the present work, CuO nanoparticles grown on three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene-based frameworks (CuO@3D-(N)GFs) were synthesized using a two-step method. After the synthesis of three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene, CuO nanoparticles were deposited on it, by adding cupric acetate followed by thermal treatment. Different analysis methods were used to characterize the products. The as-prepared nanocomposite was used as a promising catalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as one of the most common oxidizer in composite propellants. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) techniques were used to investigate the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate. According to the DSC/TGA, high temperature decomposition of AP decreased to 111 °C in the presence of 4% CuO@3D-(N)GFs and the total heat release (ΔH) from decomposition of AP increased to 1893 J g−1 which is much more than 590 J g−1 for pure AP.