Preparation of functionalized GO coordination compound and its catalytic performance for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Coordination compounds are very promising as energetic materials and catalysts for improving the comprehensive performance of solid propellants. In this study, to obtain insensitive energetic materials with excellent performance, graphene oxide (GO) as template, nitrogen-rich 3-amino-1,2,4 triazole (AMTZ) and Co(NO3)2·6H2O as ligands, a new energetic coordination compound (GO + Co + AMTZ) was synthesized. The morphology, molecular structure, element, and thermal decomposition property of the product were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry analysis (TG). The results showed that Co ions are used as bridges to coordinate with the O atoms of the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the GO surface and the N atoms of AMTZ, respectively. GO + Co + AMTZ has good thermal stability, high heat release, and insensitivity. And the catalytic effect of GO + Co + AMTZ to AP was studied using DSC. Compared with pure AP, the decomposition peak temperature of GO + Co + AMTZ/AP moved forward to 299.57 °C, and the heat release increased to 4935 J g−1, which indicated that GO + Co + AMTZ has an obvious catalytic effect. In addition, the gas phase decomposition products of GO + Co + AMTZ were tested using TG-IR, and the catalytic mechanism was further analyzed. The NO2 gas produced by the thermal decomposition could oxidize the dissociation product NH3 of AP, thereby accelerating the thermal decomposition of AP. Overall, due to its higher energy, insensitivity, and high-energy catalysis, GO + Co + AMTZ has potential application prospects in solid propellants.