Nanocrystalline transition metal oxides (NTMOs) have been successfully prepared by three different methods: novel quick precipitation method (Cr2O3 and Fe2O3); surfactant mediated method (CuO), and reduction of metal complexes with hydrazine as reducing agent (Mn2O3). The nano particles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) which shows an average particle diameter of 35 – 54 nm. Their catalytic activity was measured in the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). AP decomposition undergoes a two step process where the addition of metal oxide nanocrystals led to a shifting of the high temperature decomposition peak toward lower temperature. The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of AP and catalyzed AP has also been evaluated using model fitting and isoconversional method.

Nanocrystalline Transition Metal Oxides as Catalysts in the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate

Effect of nano-copper oxide and copper chromite on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

A comparative study of the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP)/hydroxy terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based composite propellants has been carried out in presence and absence of nano iron oxide at different heating rates in a dynamic nitrogen atmosphere using differential scanning calorimetry. The pronounced effect was a lowering of the high temperature decomposition by 49 °C. A higher heat release up to 40% was observed in presence of nano ferric oxide (3.5 nm). The kinetic parameters were evaluated using the Kissinger method. The increase of the rate constant in the catalyzed propellant confirmed the enhancement of the catalytic activity of ammonium perchlorate. The scanning electron micrographs of nano Fe2O3 incorporated in HTPB revealed a well-separated characteristic necklace-like structure of α-Fe2O3 particles at high magnification.

Differential Scanning Calorimetric Study of HTPB based Composite Propellants in Presence of Nano Ferric Oxide

The role of copper cobaltite spinel, CuxCo3−xO4 during the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Studies on energetic compounds. Part 8 : Thermolysis of salts of HNO3 and HClO4

Solid state chemistry of copper chromite used as a catalyst for the burning of ammonium perchlorate/polystyrene propellants

Effect of copper chromite and copper chromitecopper oxide mixture catalysts on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate and composite solid propellant

Gurdip Singh

Papers

Solid state chemistry of copper chromite used as a catalyst for the burning of ammonium perchlorate/polystyrene propellants

Effect of copper chromite and copper chromitecopper oxide mixture catalysts on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate and composite solid propellant