Synthesis of CuO Nanoparticles and Study on their Catalytic Properties

In this research, CuO spherical-like nanoparticles were synthesized using the planetary ball mill method. The structure, particle size and morphology of the resulting CuO nanoparticles were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) methods. The results of this investigation showed that the smallest particles which were only 82nm in size were achieved by ball milling at dry medium during 20h. These nanoparticles were studied as an additive for promoting the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). For the first time, CuO nanoparticles were synthesized by planetary ball mill method for the thermal decomposition of AP. DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and TGA (thermo gravimetric analysis) techniques were applied to investigate the thermal decomposition of pure AP with and without CuO nanoparticles. Addition of 2%CuO nanopowder with 82 nm particle size to AP increased heat decomposition from 880 to 1719.87J/g. Also, addition of 2%CuO nanopowder with 82nm particle size to AP decreased the thermal decomposition temperature from 421.99 to 351.77°C.