Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate in thePresence of Nanosized Ferric Oxide

Abstract

The catalytic effect of two different sizes of a-Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesised using an electrochemicalmethod was investigated on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) using differentialscanning calorimetry as a function of catalyst concentration.  The nanosized ferric oxide particles exhibitedmore of a catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of AP than commercial Fe2O3  particles. A loweringof the high-temperature decomposition of AP by 59 oC was observed after mixing with 2 Wt per cent ofa-Fe2O3  particles with the very fine size of 3.5 nm. The mixture produced a high heat release of 4.574 kJ/g compared to 0.834 kJ/g of pure AP. The kinetic parameters were evaluated using Kissinger method. Thedecrease in the activation energy and increase in rate constant confirmed the catalytic activity of thesenanoparticles.

Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(6), pp.721-727, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.1699